South Somerset Bridleways Association
Promoting safer routes for riders
A communication from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) directing the council to determine the three applications for routes in Chilworthy (Ilminster/Donyatt/Combe St. Nicholas area).
In theory, the council must process them by the end of 2024 (18 months from now), so at least it moves these three forward.
We are seeking anyone willing to give evidence that two bridleways have been used for riding. Somerset Council have now refused the applications on Thornhill Drove or Ash Drove near Ash, Martock (TA12). Any user evidence from the past ten years is welcome to keep these two bridleways of the map.
We will appeal this as evidence becomes available.
SSDC have just made orders on these three routes.
Want to find out what your evidence can unlock, and how to create a systematic research method to make DMMO applications to record & save lost routes? The British Horse Society is collaborating with the Ramblers to deliver two training days on Restoring the Record in the South West of England.
The courses will be conducted by two experts, well-known to the BHS: Sarah Bucks, Historic Research Advisor – South Somerset, and Dr Phil Wadey, CABO Hertsmere, Historical Research Advisor to AROWAC & Hertfordshire County Committee Member. They will run from 10am-4pm, covering how to research and apply for routes and the key resources used to study them.
The courses will run in the following locations (click on the link to find out more and book):
The courses are free of charge, but spaces are limited so please book your place if you’d like to attend.
PINS proposes to modify the definitive map to raise Underwood Lane and Dyer’s Piece Lane to Restricted Byway status along with the northern end of Westerngate Road to Bridleway Status.
The nest step is for PINS to issue the Modification Notice.
For further information and a link to the Interim Order Decision see Alan’s post below.
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.
Good news! The order has been confirmed for River Drove in Somerton to be recorded as a bridleway. This is over 1.6 kilometres of definitive bridleway added to the map. Please see the notification below for details.
Somerton-River-Drove-confirmed-orderSomerset County Council’s Regulation Committee turned down the SSBA’s applications for the Broadway routes on 6th February.
We would like to meet with those riders and carriage drivers that are disappointed in this decision to explain the legal process and why it is so important to save these routes.
The SSBA will appeal the decision. There is still hope that our rights to these routes may not be lost if enough riders and carriage drivers engage with the process.
Please join us on Tuesday and help us save these routes.
The SSBA recently worked with South Somerset County Council with regards to issues along some of our bridleways. The responce we received is below. Thank you to those who brought the issues to our attention and to the Rights of Way Area Wardens for their help in keeping these vital routes open.
An update following my visit to Kingswood Farm last week. I have spoken to the landowner at Kingswood about us having reports that riders were being turned away from his farm and yes the Bridleway is still closed at the junction of Y 10/29 & Y 10/27 to Marsh Farm.
We are going to carry our works along the bridleway from Common Lane to the Dorset border beyond Whitevine Farm which I will list below. (I have the works scheduled in for this month)
Where the B/W starts at common lane there will be a new bridleway gate installed beside the cattle grid.
Where the locked gate is there is now a wide gap this will remain but there will be a section of post and rail fence alongside the stream. Any other gates would have new easy opening arms fitted.
Going towards Whitevine Farm there has been a small gate fitted by the landowner but there is a ditch close to it, the ditch will be piped and a proper B/W gate will be installed the works here will be carried out by the landowner of Whitevine Farm.
Works to the gates going to Marsh Farm will not be done whilst it is under a closure notice, [we] will update you with the situation regarding the dangerous bridge and this closure.
The SSBA applied for DMMOs for these routes:
The four DMMOs applied for by the SSBA for the above routes will be considered by Somerset County Council’s Regulation Committee at a meeting in Taunton on Thursday 6th February 2020 at 10am.
NEW VENUE: JMR, The Deane House, Taunton TA1 1HE
Details of upcoming meetings of the Regulation Committee can be viewed on Somerset County Council’s website: www.somerset.gov.uk/regulationcommittee.
Anyone can attend the meeting but if you wish to speak you must inform Peter Stiles, the Committee Administrator by 5.00pm three clear working days before the meeting: democraticservices@somerset.gov.uk or 01823 357628 (i.e. 5.00pm on the Friday before the meeting). More information can be found here or get in touch with us if you would like to pass on a comment.
