Government U-turn See New 2031 Deadline and Puts Bridleway Routes at Risks

The BHS has condemned the decision and has said that it puts “horse riders at increasing risk on England’s roads”.

“The British Horse Society (BHS) is extremely disappointed to learn that the UK Government has broken its commitment to abolishing the 2026 deadline for saving vital off-road routes,” said a BHS spokesman.

“This decision will mean such routes across England will be lost for ever, resulting in even more restrictions when it comes to accessing the countryside.

“For horse riders, who currently have access to just 22% of the rights of way network, this decision will be particularly damaging. In 2022 alone, 68 horses were killed on Britain’s roads and 139 riders injured, therefore the protection of safe off-road routes is critical to make sure equestrians remain safe.”

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/22/government-accused-u-turn-england-footpath-promise

https://beta.ramblers.org.uk/news/government-breaks-promise-scrap-deadline-saving-lost-paths

https://beta.ramblers.org.uk/news/how-government-told-us-about-their-u-turn-saving-lost-paths

https://singletrackworld.com/2023/03/government-changes-policy-on-rights-of-way-the-deadline-is-back/

A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme – update from site

National Highways sent this bulletin at 16-03-2023 04:25 PM GMT

Good afternoon

Please find the latest A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling scheme update below.

March 28, Haynes Motor Museum, noon to 4pm
March 29 and 30,  Teals Farm Shop, South Cadbury,  9 to 5,
March 31, Haynes Motor Museum, 9 to 1pm
A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme update
Find out about progress on site, our plans to come out and meet local people with our ‘engagement van’ at the end of March, and see our latest aerial photography.
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A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme Update

National Highways’ Development Consent Order application for the A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme, previously due to be submitted before the end of 2022, has been paused to support a review into the appropriateness of the environmental mitigations proposed for the project.

You can stay up to date with project news on the A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme webpage, where you can also sign up to the National Highways newsletter.

SSBA will continue to promote the interests of horse riders and carriage drivers as the project develops.