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Pitney Routes

At last a final result. Underwood Lane, Dyer’s Piece Lane and the northern end of Westerngate Road are now all cleared and passable. The gates are out (although we are aware that the gate posts are still in place) and the overhanging branches removed and much of the over growth has been cut back.

These gates were installed and padlocked shortly after we submitted applications to have the routes legally recorded as bridleways. They were installed to prevent riders from using routes we had always ridden. After many years of legalities, Underwood Lane and Dyer’s Piece Lane are now recorded as restricted byways and the northern end of Westerngate Road is recorded as a bridleway. Now they are legally recorded they will be available in perpetuity for future generations.

It is time for the horse riders and carriage drivers to revisit these old haunts and enjoy the peace and safety of these lovely and picturesque routes. Please be aware of the wet weather and take care to walk where the ground is soft. We also extend our thanks to the adjacent landowners and Somerset Council for undertaking the significant clearance work needed to open the route.
We are proud of the result, and grateful to the British Horse Society who provided legal support throughout the long drawn out legal processes.
We hope there are other successes coming soon.

Congratulations to Sarah Bucks!

Congratulations to Sarah Bucks, Chair of our bridleways association who has been awarded an MBE for services to the Public Rights of Way Network in the New Years Honours list.

https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/ilminster_news/24828880.ilminster-woman-receives-obe-award-new-years-honours

Sarah became a member of South Somerset Bridleways Association in February 1995, soon committing to life membership in 1997 before taking the reins from the late Stephanie Wheeler MBE to become Chair. Sarah quickly emerged as the driving force for our organisation’s objectives to preserve and maintain existing bridleways and restricted byways and to restore old rights of way. Sarah is a determined and resilient champion of multiuser paths for vulnerable road users, adding the development of new routes to her considerable achievements.

Spurred on by the now removed ‘cut-off date’ introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Sarah has spent countless hours of her own time poring over both local and National archives to research and evidence historic routes. She has submitted over 200 Definitive Map Modification Orders in South Somerset and around 350 in total for Somerset. A pioneer of the work required to save these lost routes, Sarah co-authored ‘Rights of Way: Restoring the Record’ with Phil Wadey in 2012. They have generously shared their knowledge, organising and leading training days to help others identify and research old Rights of Way. This in turn must have led to many thousands of miles of access routes being preserved or improved for all types of users.

Sarah has a vast knowledge of both the existing and historical routes within our local patch and further afield. She effectively rallies support for work parties, leading by example with secateurs, and nurtured constructive working relationships with landowners, Parish, District and County Councillors. She has helped to identify priority routes, assisted with the processing of DMMOs, found funding for blocked routes and consulted on major infrastructure projects with Highways England.

Sarah is a great motivator and works collaboratively with members of the British Horse Society, Ramblers, Open Spaces Society, Horse Access Campaign, Sustrans Somerset Local Access Forum, Rail to Trail and other bridleway associations. Never dwelling on constraints, Sarah is always focused on the end goal of securing safe off-road routes, proactively offering advice and practical support.

There is no doubt that Sarah’s determined efforts have already benefited many riders, carriage drivers, walkers, low mobility users, and cyclists. Her selfless commitment to improving the Rights of Way network will also leave a profound and valuable legacy for future generations.

2031 Deadline Scrapped!

With the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the previous government introduced a deadline for all rights of way in England to be registered on the definitive map. Many routes are incorrectly classified as footpaths or still missing from the official map, so not protected under law for horse riders, cyclists or carriage drivers to use. Definitive Map Modification Order applications must be made with supporting evidence, and approved by the County Council’s Rights of Way Department or PINS to add routes to the map or upgrade them to higher rights of bridleways or restricted byways.

We started submitting DMMO applications in May 2008. Removal of the deadline enables us to continue submitting applications to add or upgrade lost routes to the definitive map where there is historical and/or user evidence.

We welcome any suggestions of routes that are currently used by horse riders and/or carriage drivers which are not on the Definitive Map but you believe might be old public routes. Please see our DMMO page and the ROAM map for a list of applications made.

Please see our Map Modification page and this Guardian article for more details here.

New restricted byway in Yeovil – Vagg Lane to Target Lane

An order has been confirmed for the upgrade of a footpath to a restricted byway in the Parish of Yeovil Without. The route runs from Vagg Lane eastwards to Target Lane. The application for this Definitive Map Modification Order was made in June 2011. It offers an at grade crossing over the A37 with good sight lines, and therefore offers the opportunity for more circular rides.

As with the confirmed Pitney routes, please use the Someset.gov.uk website to report any problems with access.

A Success Story

Order Made – Whitemoor Hill, Chaffcombe

In May 2008 the SSBA submitted an application to have the footpath over Whitemoor Hill in Chaffcombe recorded as a restricted byway.

In December 2015 the council agreed with our evidence and made an order to record the route as a restricted byway.

There was an objection from the serial objector and so some years later, in November 2023, the Planning Inspectorate called a hearing in Chard to decide the case.

A local resident then joined with the objectors, although he freely admitted that he knew horse riders had always used the route without challenge.

Now finally we have the result, which is a confirmation of the order.

There are now restricted byway rights recorded along Whitemoor Hill and there can be no challenge to anyone riding or carriage driving, or cycling, over Whitemoor Hill. The legal process does take such a long time. Nothing has changed on the ground, it is just the legal record which is has been amended.

Equestrians – have your say in the Blackdown Hills

Every five years, the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team create a Management Plan to help guide the work and activities of all organisations, groups and individuals with a responsibility or interest in the Blackdown Hills.

You can read about the current management plan on the website: https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/our-work/management-plan/

Please Click here to complete the questionnaire to say what you would like for equestrians in the Blackdown Hills.

Blackdown Hills east Devon countryside view from East Hill near Ottery St Mary an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty