Had a run in with a landowner over the weekend, the track is marked as a footpath, but later becomes a bridleway. Historically the owner had been happy for cyclists to use the track. Recently the ownership changed and the new owner, whilst happy for horses to use the track doesn't want cyclists on it. There is no point asking, it's been tried.
I have had a look at old OS maps and all maps from 1880's until 1950's show a track, infact if you look at the modern road, the road kinks at the point the track goes straight on, suggesting that the track was the major road.
if the link works its the fork at the height marker 916, just below words "west tump".
Does anyone have any experience of getting a reclassification?
I'm on our Local Access Forum and we deal with these regularly - there's a 'Missing Links' project which is there to join up footpaths where they just sort of finish in the middle of a field. There's standard forms for people to fill in showing use for 20 years and get signatures of supporters.
Upgrading a footpath to a bridleway is more complex and your best bet is to get contact details for your local Rights of way officer and talk to them. If you can find older definitive maps that show the path as a RoW for non foot traffic then that's a big help.
https://www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/access/campaigns/2026/financial-support-dmmo
This gives you an idea of what kind of evidence is likely to be relevant.
You can speak to your local ROW officer about the process, but it is unlikely to be quick or easy.
Maybe see if you can find a local horse riding group to talk to as well, if they're using the same path?
Maybe see if you can find a local horse riding group to talk to as well, if they’re using the same path?
He is happy to give permissive access to horses, just bikes he has an issue with.
Upgrading a footpath to a bridleway is more complex and your best bet is to get contact details for your local Rights of way officer and talk to them. If you can find older definitive maps that show the path as a RoW for non foot traffic then that’s a big help.
all maps prior to the 1950's indicate a track, and on the ground is a distinct track, there is no doubt that this is historically a road and not just a minor footpath across a field.
Just a matter of what needs to be done to get the council to consider it?
A track marked the map is no indicator of historic right of way.
I must be looking at the wrong bit - you're talking about the FP which goes through 'old quarries' on the way to meet the BW at 'Starveall'?
EDIT: Scrub that, I've worked out what you're talking about now.
He is happy to give permissive access to horses, just bikes he has an issue with.
Yes but it might help with supporting evidence for having it reclassified if horses have been using it for X years
They might have experience with this kind of thing too.
If it worked the map should show, the track starts as a road in the upper right, passing through the words westtump beneath is the number 7 and then 916. 916 marks a split, the track that goes directly south is the modern road. The path is the track that continues on the same line across the top of the word tumulus, towards overtown, the section after the road crossing just prior to overtown is now a road, the section on the edge of Cranham words is a footpath. If you follow the track further it becomes a brideway just beyond overtown and remains so for a number of miles.
@kelron it can't hurt to contact the local BHS and see if they can offer any guidance.
As I said, talk to the local RoW - they're all keen on getting these bridleways that just change into FP for no apparent reason reclassified.
Get the horse people on side too - although they have permissive use that can be withdrawn and they have funds and experience of the DMMO process.
they’re all keen on getting these bridleways that just change into FP for no apparent reason reclassified.
Are they? I've got quite a few BW around here which terminate conveniently at the edge of shooting moors.
Suppose you just ride it, what’s the worst that could happen?
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=51.8120&lon=-2.1331&layers=156&b=1
and this map shows clearly a track but no continuation beyond the road.
But i accept none of these show access, and this is the bit i am not sure of how to read these maps.
Are they?
ime, yes although there maybe local factors that prevent them acting. If a BW turns into an FP for 500m then back to a BW for no apparent reason then that's a good candidate for an upgrade, if the RoW just stops for 15 miles until the next one it's probably a bit more complex.
Suppose you just ride it, what’s the worst that could happen?
We do just ride it, and the landowner comes out complaining about people riding and tries to stop you riding through.
QC retires to Cotswolds and decides to impose his will on access to the woods that have been used for years.
Compromise?
We do just ride it, and the landowner comes out complaining
Carry on then. 🙂
I know a chap that has a lot of experience doing just this in Northumberland. I've sent him an email so he may post a reply/give me the ok to pass along his email address.
Could you just ride through Cranham wood instead?
Could you just ride through Cranham wood instead?
He owns the whole of that end of the wood. Rest of woodland has an agreement with Natural England on access. but none of it is really in the right direction. So option is to stick to road and ride around the footpath section.
Wouldn't it be amazing if the previous land owner could declare it had been in use as a presumed bridleway for the last 20 years and that he had not stopped people using it 🙂 Depending on how the sale of the property went, they may be keen to get one over on their buyer!
Wouldn’t it be amazing if the previous land owner could declare it had been in use as a presumed bridleway for the last 20 years and that he had not stopped people using it
Wouldn't it be even more amazing if you guys down there in Englandshire just sorted all this nonsense out like we have up here in Scotchland?
Tell him you’re taking your country back. That usually goes down well.
Tell him you’re taking your country back. That usually goes down well.
I thought all those absurd EU regulations about footpaths and bikes were abolished in the Great Brexit Repeal act?
Tell him if he carries on complaining that he is BETRAYING BREXIT!
