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RIDER RIGHTS

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Says Naomi Smith

Says Naomi SmithIt is all too possible to round a corner on horseback and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of time ........... read more

Leith Hill, Surrey

Mrs J Davies writes to the National Trust

"- Bicycles were designed to go on roads, not common land. Horse riding is mostly on natural sandy tracks on the commons - (I myself ride on commons near Albury)

- a surface on which a bicycle could not move and to build a cycle track will damage the environment.

- As I have it in mind to cancel my membership if you continue with such support to the cycle track or any such others being proposed, your reply will be of great interest."

Says Mrs. J. Davies

Says Tony BarnettReferring to a Formal Complaint from the Common Law Adviser BHS South Region to Surrey CC of 27th February this year, I note that your organisation is in partnership with Surrey CC (inter alia) to apply for:

"A - Construction of a mountain bike track on common land on Leith Hill

B - Similar works carried out elsewhere........."

As an NT member, I would like you to give me your reasons why you are involved in such a venture.

I oppose the application as follows:

To say there is an argument that there are more bikers than horse riders is rather thin. Horse riders have been using the commons for hundreds of years where interest in the Surrey Hills by cyclists has only emerged since the 2014 Olympic Games.

Bicycles were designed to go on roads, not common land. Horse riding is mostly on natural sandy tracks on the commons - (I myself ride on commons near Albury) - a surface on which a bicycle could not move and to build a cycle track will damage the environment. When walking or riding on the commons, a person has time to absorb the views and the tranquillity a large open space offers. How a cyclist tearing down a hill at speed can appreciate that goodness only knows so there is no argument to suggest that a cyclist should have the opportunity of appreciating such an area.

As I have it in mind to cancel my membership if you continue with such support to the cycle track or any such others being proposed, your reply will be of great interest.

Mrs J Davies writes to Bob Milton

Horse-riders have been using the commons for hundreds of years whereas interest in the Surrey Hills by cyclists has only emerged since the Olympic Games

Says Mrs J. Davies

Says Tony BarnettAs I occasionally hack from Brook Farm onto the commons near Albury, I have been following with great interest the developments regarding the "cycle track" on Leith Hill and have signed a petition opposing large cycling events in the Surrey area. During the Olympic Games last year, my home village, Thames Ditton, was locked in from 6 am. to 6 pm on the main cycle event day. We even had difficulty to gaining access to our road at 6 p.m. as the barriers were still in place. Since then, we have had several cyclists using the roads round our area and on the lanes that I use when driving down to Brook.

As I see the National Trust are involved with the development of the cycle track on Leith Hill, I intend writing to them saying I will resign my membership if they continue to be involved in this venture. If they gain success here, it is only a matter of time before attention is turned to the other commons in the area. Fortunately, the majority of the tracks I ride on are rather sandy and a cyclist is occasionally seen somewhat stuck when trying to use them! Not that that will prevent an application for permission to build a cycle track being filed.

I will mention to the NT that the argument there are more horse-riders than cyclists is rather thin. Horse-riders have been using the commons for hundreds of years whereas interest in the Surrey Hills by cyclists has only emerged since the Olympic Games. Bicycles were designed to go on roads, not common land. Horse riding is mostly on natural sandy tracks on the commons on which a bicycle could not move and to build a cycle track will damage the environment. When walking or riding on the commons, a person has time to absorb the views and the tranquillity a large open space offers. How a cyclist tearing down a hill at speed can appreciate that goodness only knows so there is no argument to suggest that a cyclist should have the opportunity of appreciating such an environment .

I wish you every success with your complaint.

Says Linda Wright

Says Linda WrightWe moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property. Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are usable ........... read more

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