As more and faster traffic drives equestrians off our roads it becomes more and more essential that our bridleway network is improved and extended, and that our country lanes are not permitted to become no-go areas for horse riders. We need local riders in their local area with local knowledge to inform their parish council, county councillor,and Rights of Way of any problems as they arise.

What you can do:

Report and if nothing is done, report again:
Unsatisfactory surfaces, bad gates, obstructions of any sort
No longer the full width.The council seem content to allow them to shrink from their correct width.
Impassable. On our weald clay many cannot be used in winter, but proper ditching will alleviate this.
Lack of maintenance such as scrub clearing or ditching, which leads to more expensive repairs later.
Dangerous road crossings, or access to a path, and exit from.
Verges limiting visibility or unsafe
Slippery road surfaces, notify Highways and BHS of incidents.

Why not write to County Highways if you know of a problem, with a copy to your councillor, parish council, and to us, and of course keep the BHS informed as we do not want to duplicate their work.
The RoW Teams and the BHS Bridleways Officers are very short of time and resources so do your homework first for them:
Don't use generalisations. Be specific, identify the path correctly, if possible with grid reference, parish, and path number, and photos.
Explain exactly what the problem is and what you think could be done to rectify it.
Follow it up with more letters if no action is taken.
Keep copies of any correspondence.

Tell us of any bridleway or road problems, by email, ,