2021 Super Volunteers!
Charlton St Peter & Wilsford PROWs 8th May 2021
CSP 9 and WILS 13
RIGHTS OF WAY WARDENS FOR WILTSHIRE Stephen Leonard, true to his word, has undertaken a great deal of work on both the sections leading out of Charlton St Peter going north and the intersection that turns west onto WILS 13.
The overhang has been cut right back, allowing the light to get in, increasing the width and making the whole experience of walking, riding and cycling the huge pleasure it used to be. The surface in some places still needs some infill, and there are a couple of bad holes which someone has marked with sticks.
CSP 9 and WILS 13
RIGHTS OF WAY WARDENS FOR WILTSHIRE Stephen Leonard, true to his word, has undertaken a great deal of work on both the sections leading out of Charlton St Peter going north and the intersection that turns west onto WILS 13.
The overhang has been cut right back, allowing the light to get in, increasing the width and making the whole experience of walking, riding and cycling the huge pleasure it used to be. The surface in some places still needs some infill, and there are a couple of bad holes which someone has marked with sticks.
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East Knoyle56 has been blocked by a wire gate, which has become overgrown, and the gate into the field was regularly locked by the tenant.
WBA member Ruth Dresman is working with the landowner and land agent to resolve this problem. She has already cleared the growth of several years to reveal a wire gate. Hopefully, a real gate will soon be making an appearance; as opening and closing, this is unacceptable. |
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2018 Round Up of success stories
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On Sat 29 December 2018, having secured the agreement of SPTA, three WBA committee members plus a visiting friend from New Zealand armed themselves with loppers and pruning saws and set about clearing the Hawthorne bushes along a 300mtr length of a newly dedicated Permissive Bridleway. The new dedicated Permissive Bridleway route is 3 metres wide and links the southern boundary of 'hard standing' opposite the main entrance of Rollestone Camp, Shrewton/Larkhill, with bridleway Shrewton 41. This new section offers a much safer off-road option to avoid the fast-moving traffic along that part of the busy Rollestone Road. It is hoped that at some stage in the future, we may be able to extend north from the 'hard standing' towards the former Bustard Inn.
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DIVERSION FOR 6 YEARS AT COMPTON BASSETT
An order has been made to divert BP5 for a period of 6 years to accommodate work at Hills Recycling. There were a very large number of objections to this plan, mainly from local residents; WBA was contacted by one person who had undertaken vast amounts of in-depth and very impressive work to show that the diverted path is very likely to be underwater for large periods in the winter due to the height of the water table.
MANNINGFORD 30
This track has been on the WBA radar for quite some time. The landowner was disputing the entire existence of this path, and there were several gates along it, some of which were being locked at random. We are pleased to report that it's fully passable now, although some signs are absent, and the part through the woods is slightly confusing. Some ponies were behind the non-electric tape at one point, but the path is now ridable the entire length. The resolution of these issues is great news for riders in that area.
DURNFORD, SALISBURY BP 8/2/5/26
Very soon there will be some good news for riders in the Woodford Valley area. Footpaths 8, 25 and 26 are likely to get an upgrade to bridleway status, although the Inspector has not yet confirmed the order.
WILSFORD
Wilsford has several current problem paths on the same person's land. Trees have been planted next to the Millennium Way track, and these will infringe on the track width once they start to grow. A locked gate has also appeared on BR10, and Marden BR6 has a gate across it. These have been reported to Wiltshire Council and the Chairman of the Parish Council.
CALNE WITHOUT 51
The landowner has agreed to a meeting regarding a re-submitted claim from WBA on a path across the Bowood estate. WBA have been trying sporadically to reinstate bridleway rights on this path for many years.
STONEHENGE
A trial of a permanent Traffic Restriction Order has suddenly popped up on 2 Byways near Stonehenge. The council are stating that the gates will be kept locked before work starts on the A303 tunnel, which considering that it's allegedly still in the consulting stage seems rather worrying. Whatever your views are regarding this work (the WBA committee agree that it's a massive waste of taxpayer's money), it seems wrong to block public rights of way before the final outcome has been "properly" decided.
An order has been made to divert BP5 for a period of 6 years to accommodate work at Hills Recycling. There were a very large number of objections to this plan, mainly from local residents; WBA was contacted by one person who had undertaken vast amounts of in-depth and very impressive work to show that the diverted path is very likely to be underwater for large periods in the winter due to the height of the water table.
MANNINGFORD 30
This track has been on the WBA radar for quite some time. The landowner was disputing the entire existence of this path, and there were several gates along it, some of which were being locked at random. We are pleased to report that it's fully passable now, although some signs are absent, and the part through the woods is slightly confusing. Some ponies were behind the non-electric tape at one point, but the path is now ridable the entire length. The resolution of these issues is great news for riders in that area.
DURNFORD, SALISBURY BP 8/2/5/26
Very soon there will be some good news for riders in the Woodford Valley area. Footpaths 8, 25 and 26 are likely to get an upgrade to bridleway status, although the Inspector has not yet confirmed the order.
WILSFORD
Wilsford has several current problem paths on the same person's land. Trees have been planted next to the Millennium Way track, and these will infringe on the track width once they start to grow. A locked gate has also appeared on BR10, and Marden BR6 has a gate across it. These have been reported to Wiltshire Council and the Chairman of the Parish Council.
CALNE WITHOUT 51
The landowner has agreed to a meeting regarding a re-submitted claim from WBA on a path across the Bowood estate. WBA have been trying sporadically to reinstate bridleway rights on this path for many years.
STONEHENGE
A trial of a permanent Traffic Restriction Order has suddenly popped up on 2 Byways near Stonehenge. The council are stating that the gates will be kept locked before work starts on the A303 tunnel, which considering that it's allegedly still in the consulting stage seems rather worrying. Whatever your views are regarding this work (the WBA committee agree that it's a massive waste of taxpayer's money), it seems wrong to block public rights of way before the final outcome has been "properly" decided.
2017 Improvement Works
BRIDLEWAY SALISBURY RB3
Before
Approximate length 700mtrs.
Width varying between 6 & 9mtrs. Visited by our chairman following the report of blockage. |
Before
Totally inaccessible to carriage drivers, riders or cyclists. Accessible in part only on foot but with extreme difficulty.
Not an uncommon issue across the county. |
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ClearedAlthough the path has not been cleared
to its full definitive width, it is available for riders, cyclists and pedestrians once more. More improvement work will follow. |
Pruned
Additional work has since been carried out to clear some fallen trees which were blown over by high winds.
Thanks to the local land owners and Wiltshire Area Warden for the action. |
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Historical plaque revealed
Hidden at one point along this route is the William Pitt plaque, which is advertised as an attraction by the Wiltshire Tourist Board. Although reasonably clear around the plaque, it was not previously accessible to visitors due to the path blockage.
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Super BridgesNew equine-appropriate bridges have been installed on Pewsey 33, which leads into Milton Lilbourne 18A.
Make a hack out that way and enjoy easy access to further routes. |
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WILS8Following lengthy communications (with plenty of photos), our Chairman has enabled this bridleway gate to be improved. Richard Broadhead and, in particular, Stephen Leonard, Senior Rights of Way Warden for Wiltshire, have worked with us on this to get a resolution.
Full report to be put on our web page very soon so that everyone can see more about what we do for you to enable the enjoyment of safe bridleway access. |
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SignpostsContinuing our campaign to ensure all routes are correctly signposted, we work with numerous other organisations to get signs replaced and reinstated. WBA will submit a monthly report to the Open Spaces Society as outlined in this article by Smallholder magazine. The exact location of the missing signage and designation of the PROW will be required, so do ensure that you identify the right of way correctly on your report.
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2017 AGM
And what you missed!
I can confidently say that the committee members were genuinely disappointed by the attendance at this year’s AGM.
For Thursday evenings meeting, the committee members
You missed learning about
You wouldn’t necessarily know that
1, can committee members be elected/co-opted at any time? – Yes
2, what is the benefit of being an Area Rep? – there are many benefits, including prioritisation of issue resolution in your area, fantastic, knowledgeable support from existing experienced committee members, inclusion in all WBA meetings and minutes, i.e. total awareness of all issues, connections with influential decision makers, ability to offer your localised community support and being happy in the knowledge that you are contributing to preserving bridleways in your local vicinity for everyone.
THEN
After a fantastic tea break, Phil Wadey, our guest speaker and Restoring Rights of Way aficionado
So despite everyone who did attend last night having a really inspiring and informative evening, we wish more of you had come along.
#whatmorecanwedotogetyouinvolved
#volunteersarethebestest
I can confidently say that the committee members were genuinely disappointed by the attendance at this year’s AGM.
For Thursday evenings meeting, the committee members
- arranged tea, coffee and a yummy biscuit selection for attendees
- they arranged to gather a collection of delights for the raffle
- prepared a visual display showing the WBA challenges and achievements during the year
- they provided printouts of complex cases that are currently a threat
- had ready for you to purchase a selection of WBA hoodies, fleeces and polo shirts
- and arranged to educate attendees by inviting a brilliant guest speaker to add value to the evening
You missed learning about
- 135 Wiltshire Bridleway & Byway items that the committee dealt with in 2017 alone
- 59 reports to the chairman of public right of way issues, over 50% of which were actively pursued and resolved by the WBA committee members
- 5 issues that were more than 5 years in dispute and have now been resolved
- 2 landowners are continuing to deny the existence of rights of way, which means that a Public Enquiry is imminent to pursue these to a fruitful conclusion
- One bridleway issue that has been a dispute since 1991 that’s 27 years of activity by numerous WBA committee members!!!
You wouldn’t necessarily know that
- Wiltshire Council no longer supply any planning application information to user groups like ours;
- The WBA committee members now have to go and find out about planning applications that
- are next to and may infringe on public rights of way to ensure they are protected for your benefit.
- Our two 2017 Pleasure Rides generated incomes above £2900, which has been ringfenced for our ‘fighting fund.’
- Committee members were re-elected
- And our chairman offered to stand for another year and was obviously re-elected.
- Attendees were asked for questions, queries and feedback,
- and what with there being just
- 18 people in the room
- of which
- 8 were committee members
1, can committee members be elected/co-opted at any time? – Yes
2, what is the benefit of being an Area Rep? – there are many benefits, including prioritisation of issue resolution in your area, fantastic, knowledgeable support from existing experienced committee members, inclusion in all WBA meetings and minutes, i.e. total awareness of all issues, connections with influential decision makers, ability to offer your localised community support and being happy in the knowledge that you are contributing to preserving bridleways in your local vicinity for everyone.
THEN
After a fantastic tea break, Phil Wadey, our guest speaker and Restoring Rights of Way aficionado
- Gave a brilliant, passionate and informative presentation about how ANYBODY could apply to record bridleways on the definitive map before 2026 to protect our rights of way for future generations.
So despite everyone who did attend last night having a really inspiring and informative evening, we wish more of you had come along.
#whatmorecanwedotogetyouinvolved
#volunteersarethebestest
2016 Committee Meeting Minutes
From the July 2016 digest, you can see how diligently the small number of WBA committee members work. These volunteers protect your future riding on bridleways and byways in the county.
July 2016 committee meeting.
This is the current WiP (Work In Progress) grouped them, so they are NOT in order of receipt, but in the type of issue we get to consider, investigate and hopefully resolve with the help of the local riders, landowners and ROW team at Wiltshire Council.
July 2016 committee meeting.
This is the current WiP (Work In Progress) grouped them, so they are NOT in order of receipt, but in the type of issue we get to consider, investigate and hopefully resolve with the help of the local riders, landowners and ROW team at Wiltshire Council.
Milton Lilbourne BR18A & Pewsey BR 33 – our area representative has had positive responses from the WC RoW Warden, Paul Millard, using a company from Swindon. Two new BR gates and a Kit Bridge are to be installed very soon.
Roundway BY12 / Bishops Cannings BY30 - requested fence move has been done, just awaiting confirmation from the landowner that it will not be reinstated
Winterbourne Stoke5 – anomaly between map & signage
Wilsford BY7 & BR10 & Marden BR6 - missing signage & or sign posts
Market Lavington BR6 & 9 – overgrown
West Lavington BR5 & 2 – Gate issues
Marden BR6 – Gate issues
Wilsford BR10 – Gate issues
Chirton BR11, 12 & 19 – Gate issues
Calne BR39 – Gate issues
Bishops Cannings BY36 – Gate issues
Wilsford BY7 - Re surfacing works incomplete – awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
West Lavington BY34 – gate issues & resurfacing works done for a short length. Historical evidence suggests this is a BR – to be pursued.
Ogbourne St George BR7 – obstructed
West Lavington BR3A – fallen tree
Chute BR4 – obstructed fallen tree
Seend BR40 – farm machinery placed in a hazardous way
Shalbourne BR50 – obstructed at Manor Farm, Oxenwood, awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
Collingbourne Kingston BY20 – electric fence hazardous placement
Bratton BR23 – blocked & loss of connecting route to Bratton BR17
Easton Royal BY14 / Burbage BR 32 - badly rutted, unpassable in winter
Collingbourne Kingston BR23 – locked gates and ploughed headland
Everleigh 15A - ploughed & seeded (and under special investigation regarding a proposed diversion)
Burbage BR15 – private signage erected on the route, awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
Unidentified BR Sandbridge area – solar farm compromises BR – more details needed from local riders
Unidentified BR Southwick/ North Bradley area – solar farm compromises BR – more details needed from local riders
Tockenham BR12 / Lyneham BR12 – requested site visit
Mildenhall BR5 & other BR’s in the area – requested a site visit
Easterton BR10 – upgrade to a Rest. BY
Calne Without FP51A - upgrade to a BR – progress being made by committee members
Wilsford FP1 – upgrade to BR
Newton Tony – reclassification as a BY; hearing due on 18/10 statement of a case being compiled by committee members
Shrewton & Larkhill – creation of BY & Rest, BY linking Shrewton BY to the Packway at Larkhill
Teffont BR9 – DMMO (definitive map moderation order) delay in Inspectors Report
Hilperton BR33 – Pegasus crossing required here
Baydon Rest. BY2 & BY11 – Application to divert these routes is now with Secretary for State for determination after considerable action by the committee
Calne Without BR89, 89A, & 89B – proposed diversions, being investigated by committee members
Norton Bavant BR4 (part) – proposed diversion, awaiting a hearing on 03/08
Westbury 61 – an unofficial diversion
Salisbury 13 – Planning application affects route, WC RoW Dept. have objected
Amesbury BY20 & other PRoW - Planning, and development affect these routes, and the chairman has lodged a complaint and objection to the barriers
Barbury Castle Country Park & Barbury Shooting School – planning applications involving PRoW
Meetings Attended
The chairman represented Wiltshire Bridleways Association at the July Wiltshire RoW Group and CAF (Countryside Access Forum) meeting.
Points of note for us were the proposed diversion of a bridleway Everleigh 15A (currently ploughed & seeded) on MOD land. We have already been involved in this planning application and support the proposal fully, which provides an appropriate bridleway standard and length. And the definitive line of the notorious Gypsy Lane route, which has been an ongoing campaign for us for many years.
The meeting also tabled the Delivery of National Trail Standards and World Heritage Sites. Relevant to Wiltshire riders of the Ridgeway National Trail at Avebury.
Maintaining routes on these historic sites is often even more challenging, protecting the underlying archaeological structures being important.
CAF champion continued funding for RoW in the county; however, DEFRA funding for National Trails remains the same as last year but came with no guarantee that it will be available in future years.
So it is even more VITAL that our small Wiltshire Bridleway Association keeps strong and develops with a larger membership to ensure we have funds for our own causes.
Correspondence
We get included in all planning applications to do with rights of ways, be they BR, FP, or BY. We need to be aware of any changes to existing routes that developments make so we can protect them.
More details next time!
Area Rep Reports
Stonehenge A303 area, being considered again for underpass and rep contacted by Open Spaces Society for involvement. Area Rep keeping in the loop to planning stage – requests assistance hereafter.
Calne Without FP34, Moggs Lane, a legal event order is making this a BR never took place, WiP for Area Rep.
Keevil 23 – should be a Rest. BY needs to check historical data on the WBA file.
Roundway BY12 / Bishops Cannings BY30 - requested fence move has been done, just awaiting confirmation from the landowner that it will not be reinstated
Winterbourne Stoke5 – anomaly between map & signage
Wilsford BY7 & BR10 & Marden BR6 - missing signage & or sign posts
Market Lavington BR6 & 9 – overgrown
West Lavington BR5 & 2 – Gate issues
Marden BR6 – Gate issues
Wilsford BR10 – Gate issues
Chirton BR11, 12 & 19 – Gate issues
Calne BR39 – Gate issues
Bishops Cannings BY36 – Gate issues
Wilsford BY7 - Re surfacing works incomplete – awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
West Lavington BY34 – gate issues & resurfacing works done for a short length. Historical evidence suggests this is a BR – to be pursued.
Ogbourne St George BR7 – obstructed
West Lavington BR3A – fallen tree
Chute BR4 – obstructed fallen tree
Seend BR40 – farm machinery placed in a hazardous way
Shalbourne BR50 – obstructed at Manor Farm, Oxenwood, awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
Collingbourne Kingston BY20 – electric fence hazardous placement
Bratton BR23 – blocked & loss of connecting route to Bratton BR17
Easton Royal BY14 / Burbage BR 32 - badly rutted, unpassable in winter
Collingbourne Kingston BR23 – locked gates and ploughed headland
Everleigh 15A - ploughed & seeded (and under special investigation regarding a proposed diversion)
Burbage BR15 – private signage erected on the route, awaiting updates from WC RoW Warden
Unidentified BR Sandbridge area – solar farm compromises BR – more details needed from local riders
Unidentified BR Southwick/ North Bradley area – solar farm compromises BR – more details needed from local riders
Tockenham BR12 / Lyneham BR12 – requested site visit
Mildenhall BR5 & other BR’s in the area – requested a site visit
Easterton BR10 – upgrade to a Rest. BY
Calne Without FP51A - upgrade to a BR – progress being made by committee members
Wilsford FP1 – upgrade to BR
Newton Tony – reclassification as a BY; hearing due on 18/10 statement of a case being compiled by committee members
Shrewton & Larkhill – creation of BY & Rest, BY linking Shrewton BY to the Packway at Larkhill
Teffont BR9 – DMMO (definitive map moderation order) delay in Inspectors Report
Hilperton BR33 – Pegasus crossing required here
Baydon Rest. BY2 & BY11 – Application to divert these routes is now with Secretary for State for determination after considerable action by the committee
Calne Without BR89, 89A, & 89B – proposed diversions, being investigated by committee members
Norton Bavant BR4 (part) – proposed diversion, awaiting a hearing on 03/08
Westbury 61 – an unofficial diversion
Salisbury 13 – Planning application affects route, WC RoW Dept. have objected
Amesbury BY20 & other PRoW - Planning, and development affect these routes, and the chairman has lodged a complaint and objection to the barriers
Barbury Castle Country Park & Barbury Shooting School – planning applications involving PRoW
Meetings Attended
The chairman represented Wiltshire Bridleways Association at the July Wiltshire RoW Group and CAF (Countryside Access Forum) meeting.
Points of note for us were the proposed diversion of a bridleway Everleigh 15A (currently ploughed & seeded) on MOD land. We have already been involved in this planning application and support the proposal fully, which provides an appropriate bridleway standard and length. And the definitive line of the notorious Gypsy Lane route, which has been an ongoing campaign for us for many years.
The meeting also tabled the Delivery of National Trail Standards and World Heritage Sites. Relevant to Wiltshire riders of the Ridgeway National Trail at Avebury.
Maintaining routes on these historic sites is often even more challenging, protecting the underlying archaeological structures being important.
CAF champion continued funding for RoW in the county; however, DEFRA funding for National Trails remains the same as last year but came with no guarantee that it will be available in future years.
So it is even more VITAL that our small Wiltshire Bridleway Association keeps strong and develops with a larger membership to ensure we have funds for our own causes.
Correspondence
We get included in all planning applications to do with rights of ways, be they BR, FP, or BY. We need to be aware of any changes to existing routes that developments make so we can protect them.
More details next time!
Area Rep Reports
Stonehenge A303 area, being considered again for underpass and rep contacted by Open Spaces Society for involvement. Area Rep keeping in the loop to planning stage – requests assistance hereafter.
Calne Without FP34, Moggs Lane, a legal event order is making this a BR never took place, WiP for Area Rep.
Keevil 23 – should be a Rest. BY needs to check historical data on the WBA file.
2016 Teffont TEFF9 Bridleway Challenge
The Inspector found in our favour
Following the Public Inquiry held on 12 and 13 January 2016 and the submission of additional late claims which the Inspector had agreed in advance to accept, compounded by a lengthy illness of the Inspector, the decision report was not received until August 2016.
Great news! The Inspector found in our favour and so following years of campaigning, the bridleway was upgraded to a 'Restricted Byway' and opened to its full width of 30 and 33 feet as appropriate, thus reconnecting direct access from the private road between Manor Farm livery, Teffont and this public right of way.
Following the Public Inquiry held on 12 and 13 January 2016 and the submission of additional late claims which the Inspector had agreed in advance to accept, compounded by a lengthy illness of the Inspector, the decision report was not received until August 2016.
Great news! The Inspector found in our favour and so following years of campaigning, the bridleway was upgraded to a 'Restricted Byway' and opened to its full width of 30 and 33 feet as appropriate, thus reconnecting direct access from the private road between Manor Farm livery, Teffont and this public right of way.
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Public Local Inquiry - 12 January 2016
A Local Public Enquiry took place in Teffont on 12th January 2016 before an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Inquiry was convened under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 53. It arose from Wiltshire Council's recent Order made in response to an application by Wiltshire Bridleways Association. Wiltshire Council's Order, which is supported by Teffont Parish Council, orders that the public bridleway (Teff 9), running northwards from The Old Dinton Road (at Hillcrest) to the Old Ox Drove, should be widened to its historical width for the greater convenience and enjoyment of the public. The effect of the Order, if confirmed without modifications, will be to modify the definitive map and statement for the area by: Upgrading to a restricted byway the right of way (Bridleway - Teffont 9) running from the Old Dinton Road, leading north and north-north-east past Teffont Field Buildings to the junction with the Ox Drove (Path No.12). Width from the Old Dinton Road for 50 chains (1066 metres) north 33 feet, the remainder 30 feet wide. Approximate length 2.5kms. |
Example Area Representative Report 2015
A WBA Member from near Urchfont has sent in details about her recent report of an obstructed bridleway and subsequent action by Wiltshire CC supported by WBA.
During the late summer of 2015 I ventured out to find a new bridleway. Here is what I reported to Wilts CC via their online reporting page.
"I went to ride MARD6 from the Byway along the ridge CHIR10 down towards the A342. The gate at the top won't open, and a pile of rubble, and large log blocks the access. I managed to get past the 1st obstruction but found no route through MARD6 down the steep hill between the wooded parts as illustrated on the maps. I rode to the right at the copse top, as indicated on all maps but came to a wire boundary fence and couldn’t see the way through or down. The route to the left is marked 'Keep Out' by the gamekeeper. So this bridleway is obstructed twice."
The response was: 'MARD6 Thank you for your report. The legal line of MARD6 appears to go through the chalk pit and, therefore up/down a sheer face which is not easily traversable. Our mapping team are looking into this to ascertain where exactly the legal definitive line should be. The permissive routes around the edge of the wood have no legal status and therefore we have no jurisdiction over these used routes. Thank you for your patience in this matter.'
Update 28th Feb 2016, "I rode this way again and could see the route still blocked to the right as per the RoW maps, so as the going was good decided to go on down the steep slope just out of the photo (the hunt had been down it so I thought if they can...)
With some sweet talking, we made a stop-start yet steady descent and got to the bottom safely, transversing as we went, and there was just enough room to get past the Wiltshire gate at the bottom and onto the easy-going of MARD6. However, I will pursue this with WCC and the landowner, as it's quite a challenge!"
During the late summer of 2015 I ventured out to find a new bridleway. Here is what I reported to Wilts CC via their online reporting page.
"I went to ride MARD6 from the Byway along the ridge CHIR10 down towards the A342. The gate at the top won't open, and a pile of rubble, and large log blocks the access. I managed to get past the 1st obstruction but found no route through MARD6 down the steep hill between the wooded parts as illustrated on the maps. I rode to the right at the copse top, as indicated on all maps but came to a wire boundary fence and couldn’t see the way through or down. The route to the left is marked 'Keep Out' by the gamekeeper. So this bridleway is obstructed twice."
The response was: 'MARD6 Thank you for your report. The legal line of MARD6 appears to go through the chalk pit and, therefore up/down a sheer face which is not easily traversable. Our mapping team are looking into this to ascertain where exactly the legal definitive line should be. The permissive routes around the edge of the wood have no legal status and therefore we have no jurisdiction over these used routes. Thank you for your patience in this matter.'
Update 28th Feb 2016, "I rode this way again and could see the route still blocked to the right as per the RoW maps, so as the going was good decided to go on down the steep slope just out of the photo (the hunt had been down it so I thought if they can...)
With some sweet talking, we made a stop-start yet steady descent and got to the bottom safely, transversing as we went, and there was just enough room to get past the Wiltshire gate at the bottom and onto the easy-going of MARD6. However, I will pursue this with WCC and the landowner, as it's quite a challenge!"
