We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on the evening of Tuesday 9th November 2021 via Zoom.
Please email info@southsomersetbridlewaysassociation.co.uk for the agenda and meeting details if you wish to join.
AGM 2021
Author: Hilary Habberfield
A358 Dualling Project
Our chair has been working closely with Highways England. There will be several events where you can see what the current plans for equestrians will be and have you say.
Themed webinars
We’re hosting some themed webinars on Microsoft Teams with out project team, focusing on different topics and specialist areas. At these, one-hour-long, events our team will give a short presentation and then take questions from attendees. You can submit your questions using the chat function (which can be used anonymously).
| Webinar theme | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Walking, cycling and horse-riding, including disabled users | Monday 1 November | 3pm |
Face-to-face consultation event: Monks Yard, Ilminster
From 23 Oct 2021 at 11:00 to 23 Oct 2021 at 18:00
Face-to-face consultation event: Holiday Inn, Taunton
From 3 Nov 2021 at 11:00 to 3 Nov 2021 at 18:00
See https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/a358-taunton-to-southfields-2021consultation/ for more information.
Your access routes need you!
Take a look at this informative leaflet. Remember you can report issues on routes in Somerset here
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem-with-a-public-right-of-way/
HOW-YOU-CAN-HELP-IMPROVE-RIDER-ACCESSIssues on route in Charlton Musgrove
https://roam.somerset.gov.uk/roam/Map
The bridleway near Barrow running from Stavordale Farm to New Park Farm (WN 8/15 and WN 8/16/1) has recently been fenced with barbed wire making it potentially dangerous for horses and their riders.
We would like to hear from you if rode this route before the fence went up, if you still ride it and have experienced any issues since.
Thank you.
New permissive Bridleway in Compton Dundon
The new permissive route is now ready to ride.
Huge thanks to volunteers from Compton Dundon and Reimagining The Levels who planted native trees and hegdrows along the route.
Take care crossing the busy B3151, we advise wearing high-viz.
Permissive-Bridleway-Plan
Volunteer! Tree planting to mark a new bridleway in Compton Dundon
Volunteer! Tree planting to mark a new bridleway in Compton Dundon
Would you like to join the Compton Dundon Volunteers on Tuesday 23rd March from 10.00 to plant trees (small whips) in the Parish Council Allotment land between Peak Lane and Somerton Road?
The new hedgeline will delineate the boundary of a new permissive bridleway (see route below).
The new green lane would run from the B3151 opposite L7/12 (Restricted Byway Touch Lane) through an existing vehicular access around the fields to Peak Lane by the southern end of Public Footpath L7/11. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders will be able to cross the B3151 where there are clear sight lines and no longer need to travel along the road to/from the Peak Lane junction.
Please email info@southsomersetbridlewaysassociation.co.uk by Sunday 21st March if you would like to join us to help the fantastic Compton Dundon Volunteers with this very worthwhile project. We will send you the Covid compliant joining instructions and details of where to meet. Thank you.
Permissive-Bridleway-PlanDo you ride these routes? Please send us your user evidence!
The Planning Inspectorate have directed Somerset County council to get on with processing the following applications and it would be very helpful if anyone who has walked or ridden these routes would fill in user evidence forms (see below).
Huish Episcopi and Drayton – Huish Drove, Frog Lane, and Park Lane.
Chaffcombe/Chard – Paintmoor Lane
Merriott – Niddons Lane and Holdfast, Ham and Middlefield Lanes (these have been blocked for many years)
Charlton Mackrell – Withybed Lane (blocked at southern end)
Please scan and email your completed form to info@southsomersetbridlewaysassociation.co.uk or let us know if you’d rather send by post.
Ham Hill Country Park, Norton Sub Hamdon and Montacute – your suggestions, please!
There is a new project with funding available to make improvements to the routes in this area. We would welcome your suggestions. So far the following have been mentioned:
- better route map boards/signage in carparks
- route maps on the internet
- waymarking of existing routes
- new additional routes
- better surfacing
- marked road crossings
- hitching posts
Please do let us know if you support any of these suggestions or have new ideas you would like to share.
Route cleared to Frogmary Green Farm
Thank you to the owners of Frogmary Green Farm who have kindly arranged to have the restricted byway between Fouts Cross and Frogmary Green Farm near Lopen cleared (see the before and after photos below).
The result is a clear, wide safe path for horse riders and hoof prints suggest that at least one horse rider has used it.
Keep Vigilant
We have had a report of a yard disturbed and equipment taken in the South Somerset area. We would like to remind our members to be extra vigilant with security through the long, dark nights.
Look at the link below for ideas to keep your yard safe from intruders.