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

Our chair, Sarah Bucks, has been working hard on getting as many new safe riding routes as possible out of the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester improvement scheme.  Sarah recently responded to ‘Deadline 7’ and there is only one more deadline to go before June 12th.


Attached is what has been submitted. Please let us know your comments.

Project Link

SSBA Submission

Historic Rights of Way Question for Short Debate Asked by Lord Greaves

Historic Rights of Way
02 April 2019
Volume 797

Question for Short Debate

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the progress that has been made in the registration of historic rights of way and of the benefits of extending the cut-off date for their registration.

Read Full Transcript HERE