Says Tony Barnett

There is confusion in the Yateley area over speed limits on bridleways, these will also be public footpaths, so unless Ben Hur lives in the area horses are kept to a walking pace as do the public, anyway it is suggested that in two area's where there are bridleways under discussion, one is for the Stroud Lane residents, quite an online conversation is being conducted over the issue with quips like" looks like you could have a speed limit on the lane even if it is a bridle way" contrary to what the rangers say, whatever the Rangers say is not valid as their presence is not valid.

So the question from the Blackwater Valley Bridleways Group is " Does nyone know the default speed limit on a public bridleway"? one resident said it should be the national limit of 60 miles Per hour, but that it should be more like 15 miles Per hour, Ben Hur does live there then! who ever "they" are, national speed limit for Strouds Lane and Stevens Hill should be lobbied for.

Bridleways over common land and open countryside are of ancient route the difference between the two is that access over common land is open and as such regulation on section 9, now 45 rural common land is from all points of view and as such there will be no bye-laws, common sense and consideration for other users is paramount because the access is also by dog walkers etc, however, no mechanical or motorised access is permitted unless a private rights of way to a homestead is in situ, any vehicle travelling more than 15 metres on common land will be in breach of the 1988 road traffic act section 34, and may be prosecuted under section 59 or 60 of that act, cycles also are prohibited.

The other Bridleways/footpaths in the countryside do allow for cycles but courtesy is required by users, horses given a higher status than cyclist, so speed limit, unless the access has been adopted by the authority, or requisitioned (theft)  over such country lanes as a throughway, then speed limits may be introduced, however, adoption/requisition will be subject to a public hearing, the traffic police, the highways dept and the Minister will need to support the idea.

Residents, as soon as you stop involving council employees "rangers" who have powers or any rights to regulate common land access the sooner you will be able to move on and protect your rights, it has also been stated that some rangers are paid for by business people, they have no powers either, now, unless the common is subject to the 1876 metropolitan act or the 1899 commons act, the council has no jurisdiction!