Our next Annual General Meeting is provisionally planned for Thursday 27th March 2025 at Rushall Village Hall.
As in previous years, and after the conclusion of all official business, it is customary to arrange for a guest speaker to give a short presentation on a subject of interest to attendees.
Over the past years we have been fortunate to secure talks from a varied range of guests, including Equine Dentists, a Paralympic Dressage Steward, Equine Vets on a variety of subjects, various contributors from Wiltshire Council Rights of Way, Greatwood Racehorse Rehabilitation Centre, various adventure rides undertaken both in the UK and abroad, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum, Open Spaces Society, and the Wiltshire Police Service.
Your committee are now seeking to identify a possible speaker for 2025 and would welcome suggestions from our readers. To that end we ask that any thoughts be put forward prior to the final committee meeting of 2024, - Wednesday 11 December. This will allow time for potential guests to be contacted and arrangements made.
Please do email us with your suggestions!
As in previous years, and after the conclusion of all official business, it is customary to arrange for a guest speaker to give a short presentation on a subject of interest to attendees.
Over the past years we have been fortunate to secure talks from a varied range of guests, including Equine Dentists, a Paralympic Dressage Steward, Equine Vets on a variety of subjects, various contributors from Wiltshire Council Rights of Way, Greatwood Racehorse Rehabilitation Centre, various adventure rides undertaken both in the UK and abroad, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum, Open Spaces Society, and the Wiltshire Police Service.
Your committee are now seeking to identify a possible speaker for 2025 and would welcome suggestions from our readers. To that end we ask that any thoughts be put forward prior to the final committee meeting of 2024, - Wednesday 11 December. This will allow time for potential guests to be contacted and arrangements made.
Please do email us with your suggestions!
Monthly Committee meetings are held at the Marsden Room, Quaker Meeting Rooms, Sussex Wharf, Devizes
at 7:30pm - all welcome
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2024 Committee Meeting Dates - all Wednesdays!
EVERYONE WELCOME
Wednesday 9th October, Wednesday 13th November, Wednesday 11th December
8th January, 12th February, 12th March, 9th April, 14th May, 11th June, 9th July,
13th August, 10th September, 8th October, 12th November, 10th December
EVERYONE WELCOME
Wednesday 9th October, Wednesday 13th November, Wednesday 11th December
8th January, 12th February, 12th March, 9th April, 14th May, 11th June, 9th July,
13th August, 10th September, 8th October, 12th November, 10th December
Meeting Minutes
| wba-mm-110924.pdf |
| wba-mm-140824.pdf |
| wba_mm_100724.pdf |
| wba-mm-120624.pdf |
| wba_mm_080524.pdf |
| wba_mm_100424.pdf |
| wba_mm_130324.pdf |
| wba_mm_140224.pdf |
| wba_mm_100124.pdf |
| wba_mm_131223.pdf |
| wba_mm_081123.pdf |
| wba_mm_111023.pdf |
| wba-minutes-060923.pdf |
| wba_mm_090823.pdf |
AGM 2024
Our sincere thanks go to Sally Madgwick and Craig Harlow for a very informative and positive presentation on the complexities and volume of work that is involved in updating the Definitive Map for Wiltshire.
21st March 2024 AGM Questions and Answers
Why does that bridleway just stop there?
I really think this track looks like it should go further along that headland!
I'm sure I used to be able to ride across that land in the past, where is the route now?
Thank you for your questions, which were shared with our guest speakers Sally Madgwick and Craig Harlow from the Definitive Map and Highways Records Team, Wiltshire Council. At the meeting, Sally gave a nutshell history of the Definitive Map creation.
Did you know that the first Highways Act was made in 1555? It was the parish who was responsible for maintaining the historic defined routes and they HAD to work on them for six days each year.
Stride on to post-war Great Britain, Labour created the National Parks, National Trails and AONB that we know today. This instigated the Definitive Map in 1950 to be updated by parish councils to provide the marked routes on the Published Draft. This draft continued its development for another three decades.
Here are the questions and detailed responses.
Q1 Why are all bridleways impassable near me and how come some land owners have re-rerouted or closed them off and can get away with it? I have submitted letters and maps, and nothing has ever been done. The roads are such dangerous places and those of us with just a few bridleways seem to have no luck keeping them open.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Sadly, this is a County wide problem, largely the result of a large network and limited resources to keep it all in an open and usable state. However, the Council’s duty is clear in s.130 Highways Act 1980 that RoW are open and available to the public to pass and re-pass. Processes exist for forcing the Council to take action and usually arise when approaches by letter, telephone or online MyWilts etc fail. S.130A of the Highways Act 1980 allows any person to serve notice on the council requiring them to deal with the problem. If, after a set time, the problem is still not resolved, the complainant can take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court. This is the stage that can cost money (reclaimable if you win) and is just the sort of thing that national organisations like the BHS and Open Spaces Society can assist and advise on.
Advice: Pick your battles, Choose bridleways with a good chance of success, and keep pushing. Sometimes a local group working with the Council can clear a route if the matter is simple. Keep records of your contacts and complaints. Take photos. Success can lead to more successes coming easier.
Q2 I reported a bridleway blocked by a farmer in Eastcott who grew crops to stop us using but nothing was done all summer. He grew corn and didn’t put the bridleway back in. Nothing was done and is a repeat offender who does not want horses crossing his land. We fought for this to be opened years ago & now he is getting away with it all again.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: One for locals to keep a keen eye on and immediately the land is disturbed, and the crop planted you will need to contact Wiltshire Council’s Countryside Access Officer immediately. You will find the Ramblers Association campaign against cropped paths too, so rally support from others. Try to ride it regularly in the early days to establish a track. It is the Council’s responsibility to keep this clear and they have special powers to serve notice. If you do not get action, contact your local elected member. Sadly, there is a tendency for these to take so long to resolve that the crop is taken off anyway.
Advice: Take photos, keep Wiltshire Council fully updated. Try to get walkers and cyclists to complain too. Everyone needs to act quickly with crop problems before the crop has a visible value.
Q3 Is anyone brave enough to sort HANK27??! I’m told the landowner has historically scared riders of all ages away from riding on this bridleway. Tactics include having big rocks covering parts of it, having cows out, dogs running loose, illegal gates and apparently, some time ago, hanging animal carcasses to scare young riders. It’s been reported (with photos) twice to the council with no action to date.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Large rocks that are obstructions should be dealt with by the method described in question 1 (s.130A Highways Act 1980). However, intimidation is much more difficult to deal with and you should never be afraid of reporting obvious intimidation to the police – some matters are police matters and if you can get a report log number that would be good, and often the police will visit to talk to the alleged perpetrator, which can help. Loose dogs and cattle that are a danger (beyond horses just not liking cattle) are also actionable by the police.
If the problem could be eased with a diversion, it may be something the Council could discuss with the landowner.
Advice: Keep a log, get the police (there are rural beat officers who may be on side), take photos. Collect incidences from other riders with dates, times and short statements of what happened. Use s.130A if obstructions are physical and could be dealt with by removal. Countryside Access Officer (CAO) Stephen Leonard is unaware of any illegal gates on the route, so please report those to him or Alison Rasey. ([email protected] / [email protected])
Q4 Why do some end in kissing gates and then become a footpath? Oh, great let’s turn around and head back at double speed!
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Often this happens at Parish or County boundaries where the different councils claimed different levels of public rights at the definitive map stage (early 1950s). Very rarely would a highway be like this (though it can happen). It is likely that higher rights (i.e. bridleway or restricted byway) exist but the burden of proof rests with the person seeking to assert the right. This is usually manifest in an application to the Council to record the whole route as the same status. Wiltshire Council has a duty to determine these, but it can take a long time. Very sadly, these sorts of routes will remain like this after 1st January 2031 because of the cut-off date imposed by the Govt. There may be some savings.
Advice: Consider researching and making an application, or seeing if the landowner for the ongoing section would dedicate a higher right. Let Wiltshire Council (def map team) know if we have an application already and it is an important route.
Q5 There is a footpath from Ivy Mill to Banner Down that is almost entirely paved at tractor width and where it is not paved it’s a good track – I can use it in my wheelchair in summer! Why it’s not accessible to horse riders is beyond me. My carriage would go on it perfectly and then we could at least one way miss the lethal part of Edington Road.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: It is possible that a higher right exists but is not recorded – see answer to question 4 above. However, if not then any use of the route with horses, cycles etc would be down to the goodwill of the owner of the landowner of the land. They could, working with Wiltshire Council, dedicate it for more users or, if they don’t want to do that, they could make the route permissive. The new Govt’s Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is likely to provide generous payments for farmers/landowners who make new permissive routes over land (priced at so many pounds per metre for a 5 year agreement) so there could be opportunities there.
Advice: Find out if it’s likely a higher right exists (the BHS has some excellent online resources and a whole team dealing with these matters). Find out who the owner of the route is. Make them your friend! See if the parish council may be on your side too? Would it be a good cycle link for instance?
Q6 Can a dead-end bridleway be reinstated as a normal bridleway? I am referring EDIN16 in Edington.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: This will depend on the individual circumstances relating to this path. There may be unrecorded historic rights, in which case the answer to question 4 may apply. If it is already in use as a through route, and has been for over 20 years, then it is possible to claim the missing part based on your use. Application must be made to Wiltshire Council. Additionally, the response to question 5 above may apply, if there really is no unrecorded public right then it will come down to the goodwill of the owner of the land.
Advice: Find out some more about the specific route. It is possible it really was just a ‘bigger’ route to the farm and a footpath after that, however, there is force in a continuation so worth a little extra work. Does Edington have any local historians or an interested parish council who may get involved? We do get quite a few applications from PCs where individuals do not want to get involved by name. Following a quick check of some documents there is potentially higher rights over this route, and it could be a good candidate for further investigation and an application.
Q7 I know there are several DMMOs (requesting an upgrade to restricted byways to byways) that are archived. Will these upgrades eventually be allowed as, although this will increase RoWs for trail riders and 4 x 4 drivers it will DECREASE safe riding for horse riders and carriage drivers?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Owing to a change in the law brought about by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 it is highly unlikely that more byways open to all traffic will be added to the definitive map and statement. There may be one or two which meet the savings in the Act, but they will be few and far between and are likely to be in remote open spaces like Salisbury Plain or short sections of road that have fallen out of public vehicular use. Where a restricted byway is the subject of an application to record it as a BOAT it tends to be given a low priority score and generally applications with a greater public benefit are likely to be determined first.
Advice: Not likely to be a concern but if an application is consulted, WBA, the BHS and the Ramblers are consultees. However, matters relating to need, desire, perceived threats etc are not matters that will be considered.
Q’s8 Why is Mudmead Lane in Steeple Ashton blocked with a bollard despite informing the council 18 months ago? (carriage driver desperate to use).
Why are so many bridleways suitable for carriages not restricted byways?
The road is increasingly unsafe for us who carriage drive and or use a wheelchair and footpaths are rarely accessible. Are we allowed to use cycle lanes as carriage drivers and are they in fact restricted byways?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Mudmead Lane is a restricted byway and should not be obstructed to lawful users. Unfortunately, because there are so few carriage drivers, their voices are often not well heard or understood. You may need to revert to the provisions of s.130A Highways Act 1980 (see question 1) to resolve this. It is important to find out who erected and owns the bollard – if was put in by an adjoining landowner then it is likely to be an unlawful obstruction (it can’t be authorised) but if it was put in and is owned by Wiltshire Council and could be lawful in some respects. However lawful it is it should still not obstruct.
Advice: Keep on at the Council (this is an important route for you), find out who put the bollard in and under what authority. If Wiltshire Council’s bollard then it is still an obstruction in fact, even if it is legitimately authorised, and should be addressed. Your right to use the route has not been altered. This could be of good interest to national groups campaigning for carriage rights – Byways and Bridleways Trust or BHS for example. CAOs, Ben Braine and Vicky Roscoe aware of obstruction and will investigate. Contact those officers for updates. ([email protected] / [email protected])
Cycle Lanes are often just for cycles. Even where they are signed or created as “shared use” this usually only means on foot or with a bicycle. Advice: Find out from Wiltshire Council how any particular cycle lane was created – it may be part of the wider highway, but if created under specific powers, use across it may be restricted.
The law regards a horse-drawn carriage as a vehicle and generally, they are not permitted in cycle lanes or other ‘sustainable transport’ routes. The concept of a horse-drawn carriage being legally different to a mechanically propelled vehicle (MPV) only came about in 2006 so access, other than restricted byways, ignores them as a separate entity.
Cycle Tracks are created by legal order under specific legislation only for cycles.
Q9 Why is Wiltshire the only county that has to get permission to use bridleways if for an event with more than 10 riders
Definitive Map Officers’ response: There is no statutory requirement to seek permission to hold an event such as a ride using the bridleway network, unless you are seeking to close a highway which does require a legal order. However, it is always good practice to liaise widely. The surface of the highway (bridleway) is likely to be vested in the highway authority and it can be an offence to damage the surface of a highway – hence a large ride in wet conditions may well do this. There is also an additional risk to the surrounding land as riders spread out and potentially damage land away from the highway. Wiltshire Council may also be aware of other events which may clash with your planned event. It is therefore also good practice to engage the landowner and Wiltshire Council officers, even if you do, individually, all have a right to pass and re=pass the right of way.
Q10 Question relating to closures to Milton Hill
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Unaware of any closures in the vicinity of Milton Hill, in the Pewsey area, submit further details and we can confirm.
Q’s11 Last year at our AGM, Chris Clark told us that the county had x381 DMMOs in progress and that an experienced DMMO officer could complete x 6 DMMOs per year, leaving a considerable number incomplete by the cut-off date in six years. What is the current number in progress for Wiltshire?
How are the WC team prioritising DMMOs? For example, do footpaths have priority over bridleways?
How will the combined Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) offer impact on the current works in progress?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: We currently have 369 applications for DMMOs registered. DMMO Search - Rights Of Way - Wiltshire Council. Officers currently have 12 DMMO applications in progress i.e. ‘live’ cases.
An increase in caseloads per officer would be desirable but definitive map officers also deal with applications for public path orders, registration of town or village greens or registration/de-registration of common land. These are in addition to ‘day to day’ matters such as applications to register land made to Land Registry, s.31(6) deposits, maintenance of records, answering queries, responding to FOI requests, complaints and so forth.
Applications are prioritised according to a published policy Rights of way - Wiltshire Council based broadly on maximum public benefit. In other words, an application upgrading of a footpath to a restricted byway benefits more people than the upgrading of a bridleway to a restricted byway and would have a higher priority score. There are some exceptions to the priority scoring and where a route is at risk (usually because of a planned development) we will prioritise that. Routes can score highly where they are good links for sustainable travel or of obvious value to local people.
Advice: If making an application, think about ‘your best’ case and prioritise those with greatest benefit.
Unaware of the details of the SFI or specifically the CS scheme, but do know that the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is likely to have provisions for financial compensation/payment for landowners to create permissive routes for the public to use.
Advice: Keep an eye on ELMS coming into use and think about landowners who may be able to good useful routes, even if permissive, they could benefit users and the landowner alike.
Craig Harlow is one of the specialist officers who assists applicants and carries out the required investigations. Craig gave a wonderfully detailed talk-through of a notable application in Wiltshire from the original call to his office in January 2020 from a rider wanting to know how to record a bridleway on the map, with user evidence, all the way through to the Definitive map Order confirmation in December 2023. More details and top tips will be in our Spring 2023 Newsletter.
Our sincere thanks go to Sally Madgwick and Craig Harlow for a very informative and positive presentation on the complexities and volume of work that is involved in updating the Definitive Map for Wiltshire.
I really think this track looks like it should go further along that headland!
I'm sure I used to be able to ride across that land in the past, where is the route now?
Thank you for your questions, which were shared with our guest speakers Sally Madgwick and Craig Harlow from the Definitive Map and Highways Records Team, Wiltshire Council. At the meeting, Sally gave a nutshell history of the Definitive Map creation.
Did you know that the first Highways Act was made in 1555? It was the parish who was responsible for maintaining the historic defined routes and they HAD to work on them for six days each year.
Stride on to post-war Great Britain, Labour created the National Parks, National Trails and AONB that we know today. This instigated the Definitive Map in 1950 to be updated by parish councils to provide the marked routes on the Published Draft. This draft continued its development for another three decades.
Here are the questions and detailed responses.
Q1 Why are all bridleways impassable near me and how come some land owners have re-rerouted or closed them off and can get away with it? I have submitted letters and maps, and nothing has ever been done. The roads are such dangerous places and those of us with just a few bridleways seem to have no luck keeping them open.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Sadly, this is a County wide problem, largely the result of a large network and limited resources to keep it all in an open and usable state. However, the Council’s duty is clear in s.130 Highways Act 1980 that RoW are open and available to the public to pass and re-pass. Processes exist for forcing the Council to take action and usually arise when approaches by letter, telephone or online MyWilts etc fail. S.130A of the Highways Act 1980 allows any person to serve notice on the council requiring them to deal with the problem. If, after a set time, the problem is still not resolved, the complainant can take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court. This is the stage that can cost money (reclaimable if you win) and is just the sort of thing that national organisations like the BHS and Open Spaces Society can assist and advise on.
Advice: Pick your battles, Choose bridleways with a good chance of success, and keep pushing. Sometimes a local group working with the Council can clear a route if the matter is simple. Keep records of your contacts and complaints. Take photos. Success can lead to more successes coming easier.
Q2 I reported a bridleway blocked by a farmer in Eastcott who grew crops to stop us using but nothing was done all summer. He grew corn and didn’t put the bridleway back in. Nothing was done and is a repeat offender who does not want horses crossing his land. We fought for this to be opened years ago & now he is getting away with it all again.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: One for locals to keep a keen eye on and immediately the land is disturbed, and the crop planted you will need to contact Wiltshire Council’s Countryside Access Officer immediately. You will find the Ramblers Association campaign against cropped paths too, so rally support from others. Try to ride it regularly in the early days to establish a track. It is the Council’s responsibility to keep this clear and they have special powers to serve notice. If you do not get action, contact your local elected member. Sadly, there is a tendency for these to take so long to resolve that the crop is taken off anyway.
Advice: Take photos, keep Wiltshire Council fully updated. Try to get walkers and cyclists to complain too. Everyone needs to act quickly with crop problems before the crop has a visible value.
Q3 Is anyone brave enough to sort HANK27??! I’m told the landowner has historically scared riders of all ages away from riding on this bridleway. Tactics include having big rocks covering parts of it, having cows out, dogs running loose, illegal gates and apparently, some time ago, hanging animal carcasses to scare young riders. It’s been reported (with photos) twice to the council with no action to date.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Large rocks that are obstructions should be dealt with by the method described in question 1 (s.130A Highways Act 1980). However, intimidation is much more difficult to deal with and you should never be afraid of reporting obvious intimidation to the police – some matters are police matters and if you can get a report log number that would be good, and often the police will visit to talk to the alleged perpetrator, which can help. Loose dogs and cattle that are a danger (beyond horses just not liking cattle) are also actionable by the police.
If the problem could be eased with a diversion, it may be something the Council could discuss with the landowner.
Advice: Keep a log, get the police (there are rural beat officers who may be on side), take photos. Collect incidences from other riders with dates, times and short statements of what happened. Use s.130A if obstructions are physical and could be dealt with by removal. Countryside Access Officer (CAO) Stephen Leonard is unaware of any illegal gates on the route, so please report those to him or Alison Rasey. ([email protected] / [email protected])
Q4 Why do some end in kissing gates and then become a footpath? Oh, great let’s turn around and head back at double speed!
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Often this happens at Parish or County boundaries where the different councils claimed different levels of public rights at the definitive map stage (early 1950s). Very rarely would a highway be like this (though it can happen). It is likely that higher rights (i.e. bridleway or restricted byway) exist but the burden of proof rests with the person seeking to assert the right. This is usually manifest in an application to the Council to record the whole route as the same status. Wiltshire Council has a duty to determine these, but it can take a long time. Very sadly, these sorts of routes will remain like this after 1st January 2031 because of the cut-off date imposed by the Govt. There may be some savings.
Advice: Consider researching and making an application, or seeing if the landowner for the ongoing section would dedicate a higher right. Let Wiltshire Council (def map team) know if we have an application already and it is an important route.
Q5 There is a footpath from Ivy Mill to Banner Down that is almost entirely paved at tractor width and where it is not paved it’s a good track – I can use it in my wheelchair in summer! Why it’s not accessible to horse riders is beyond me. My carriage would go on it perfectly and then we could at least one way miss the lethal part of Edington Road.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: It is possible that a higher right exists but is not recorded – see answer to question 4 above. However, if not then any use of the route with horses, cycles etc would be down to the goodwill of the owner of the landowner of the land. They could, working with Wiltshire Council, dedicate it for more users or, if they don’t want to do that, they could make the route permissive. The new Govt’s Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is likely to provide generous payments for farmers/landowners who make new permissive routes over land (priced at so many pounds per metre for a 5 year agreement) so there could be opportunities there.
Advice: Find out if it’s likely a higher right exists (the BHS has some excellent online resources and a whole team dealing with these matters). Find out who the owner of the route is. Make them your friend! See if the parish council may be on your side too? Would it be a good cycle link for instance?
Q6 Can a dead-end bridleway be reinstated as a normal bridleway? I am referring EDIN16 in Edington.
Definitive Map Officers’ response: This will depend on the individual circumstances relating to this path. There may be unrecorded historic rights, in which case the answer to question 4 may apply. If it is already in use as a through route, and has been for over 20 years, then it is possible to claim the missing part based on your use. Application must be made to Wiltshire Council. Additionally, the response to question 5 above may apply, if there really is no unrecorded public right then it will come down to the goodwill of the owner of the land.
Advice: Find out some more about the specific route. It is possible it really was just a ‘bigger’ route to the farm and a footpath after that, however, there is force in a continuation so worth a little extra work. Does Edington have any local historians or an interested parish council who may get involved? We do get quite a few applications from PCs where individuals do not want to get involved by name. Following a quick check of some documents there is potentially higher rights over this route, and it could be a good candidate for further investigation and an application.
Q7 I know there are several DMMOs (requesting an upgrade to restricted byways to byways) that are archived. Will these upgrades eventually be allowed as, although this will increase RoWs for trail riders and 4 x 4 drivers it will DECREASE safe riding for horse riders and carriage drivers?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Owing to a change in the law brought about by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 it is highly unlikely that more byways open to all traffic will be added to the definitive map and statement. There may be one or two which meet the savings in the Act, but they will be few and far between and are likely to be in remote open spaces like Salisbury Plain or short sections of road that have fallen out of public vehicular use. Where a restricted byway is the subject of an application to record it as a BOAT it tends to be given a low priority score and generally applications with a greater public benefit are likely to be determined first.
Advice: Not likely to be a concern but if an application is consulted, WBA, the BHS and the Ramblers are consultees. However, matters relating to need, desire, perceived threats etc are not matters that will be considered.
Q’s8 Why is Mudmead Lane in Steeple Ashton blocked with a bollard despite informing the council 18 months ago? (carriage driver desperate to use).
Why are so many bridleways suitable for carriages not restricted byways?
The road is increasingly unsafe for us who carriage drive and or use a wheelchair and footpaths are rarely accessible. Are we allowed to use cycle lanes as carriage drivers and are they in fact restricted byways?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Mudmead Lane is a restricted byway and should not be obstructed to lawful users. Unfortunately, because there are so few carriage drivers, their voices are often not well heard or understood. You may need to revert to the provisions of s.130A Highways Act 1980 (see question 1) to resolve this. It is important to find out who erected and owns the bollard – if was put in by an adjoining landowner then it is likely to be an unlawful obstruction (it can’t be authorised) but if it was put in and is owned by Wiltshire Council and could be lawful in some respects. However lawful it is it should still not obstruct.
Advice: Keep on at the Council (this is an important route for you), find out who put the bollard in and under what authority. If Wiltshire Council’s bollard then it is still an obstruction in fact, even if it is legitimately authorised, and should be addressed. Your right to use the route has not been altered. This could be of good interest to national groups campaigning for carriage rights – Byways and Bridleways Trust or BHS for example. CAOs, Ben Braine and Vicky Roscoe aware of obstruction and will investigate. Contact those officers for updates. ([email protected] / [email protected])
Cycle Lanes are often just for cycles. Even where they are signed or created as “shared use” this usually only means on foot or with a bicycle. Advice: Find out from Wiltshire Council how any particular cycle lane was created – it may be part of the wider highway, but if created under specific powers, use across it may be restricted.
The law regards a horse-drawn carriage as a vehicle and generally, they are not permitted in cycle lanes or other ‘sustainable transport’ routes. The concept of a horse-drawn carriage being legally different to a mechanically propelled vehicle (MPV) only came about in 2006 so access, other than restricted byways, ignores them as a separate entity.
Cycle Tracks are created by legal order under specific legislation only for cycles.
Q9 Why is Wiltshire the only county that has to get permission to use bridleways if for an event with more than 10 riders
Definitive Map Officers’ response: There is no statutory requirement to seek permission to hold an event such as a ride using the bridleway network, unless you are seeking to close a highway which does require a legal order. However, it is always good practice to liaise widely. The surface of the highway (bridleway) is likely to be vested in the highway authority and it can be an offence to damage the surface of a highway – hence a large ride in wet conditions may well do this. There is also an additional risk to the surrounding land as riders spread out and potentially damage land away from the highway. Wiltshire Council may also be aware of other events which may clash with your planned event. It is therefore also good practice to engage the landowner and Wiltshire Council officers, even if you do, individually, all have a right to pass and re=pass the right of way.
Q10 Question relating to closures to Milton Hill
Definitive Map Officers’ response: Unaware of any closures in the vicinity of Milton Hill, in the Pewsey area, submit further details and we can confirm.
Q’s11 Last year at our AGM, Chris Clark told us that the county had x381 DMMOs in progress and that an experienced DMMO officer could complete x 6 DMMOs per year, leaving a considerable number incomplete by the cut-off date in six years. What is the current number in progress for Wiltshire?
How are the WC team prioritising DMMOs? For example, do footpaths have priority over bridleways?
How will the combined Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) offer impact on the current works in progress?
Definitive Map Officers’ response: We currently have 369 applications for DMMOs registered. DMMO Search - Rights Of Way - Wiltshire Council. Officers currently have 12 DMMO applications in progress i.e. ‘live’ cases.
An increase in caseloads per officer would be desirable but definitive map officers also deal with applications for public path orders, registration of town or village greens or registration/de-registration of common land. These are in addition to ‘day to day’ matters such as applications to register land made to Land Registry, s.31(6) deposits, maintenance of records, answering queries, responding to FOI requests, complaints and so forth.
Applications are prioritised according to a published policy Rights of way - Wiltshire Council based broadly on maximum public benefit. In other words, an application upgrading of a footpath to a restricted byway benefits more people than the upgrading of a bridleway to a restricted byway and would have a higher priority score. There are some exceptions to the priority scoring and where a route is at risk (usually because of a planned development) we will prioritise that. Routes can score highly where they are good links for sustainable travel or of obvious value to local people.
Advice: If making an application, think about ‘your best’ case and prioritise those with greatest benefit.
Unaware of the details of the SFI or specifically the CS scheme, but do know that the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is likely to have provisions for financial compensation/payment for landowners to create permissive routes for the public to use.
Advice: Keep an eye on ELMS coming into use and think about landowners who may be able to good useful routes, even if permissive, they could benefit users and the landowner alike.
Craig Harlow is one of the specialist officers who assists applicants and carries out the required investigations. Craig gave a wonderfully detailed talk-through of a notable application in Wiltshire from the original call to his office in January 2020 from a rider wanting to know how to record a bridleway on the map, with user evidence, all the way through to the Definitive map Order confirmation in December 2023. More details and top tips will be in our Spring 2023 Newsletter.
Our sincere thanks go to Sally Madgwick and Craig Harlow for a very informative and positive presentation on the complexities and volume of work that is involved in updating the Definitive Map for Wiltshire.
Sign up as a supporter to get early entry and a reduced fee at our next Pleasure Ride
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The next fundraising pleasure ride is on: tbc FUTURE PLEASURE RIDES
We are also looking for volunteers who would be willing to get involved with the organisation of such pleasure rides.
In additional to other potential benefits, it is hoped that such events will:- a. Help to advertise the Wiltshire Bridleways Association to a wider audience and thus increase support and donations. b. Raise additional funding to enhance the work of your Association. c. Give the stalwart committee member, whotakes on the majority of activities for running all previous rides, an opportunity to enjoy a ride too :) Thank you in advance, your committee looks forward to hearing from you. Can you propose a Pleasure Ride venue?
Your committee are seeking your help with identifying additional venues that offer: 1, Great Access with plenty of parking for lorries and towing vehicles. 2, A route that is circular, includes a long and short option without passing riders in the opposite direction. 3, Landowners consent Please do contact our ride organise, Rosie Pack with your suggestions. |
Become a supporter to find out about our fundraising pleasure rides earlier, and save £ on your entry fee.
WBA PLEASURE RIDES TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
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AGM At Rushall Village Hall
7 pm Thursday March 30th 2023
There were thirty two attendees. Thank you all for coming and supporting the committee, and for welcoming our Guest Speaker, Chris Clark, Head of Highways and Countryside Access at Wiltshire Council. Chris presented an insightful overview of what his department can and cannot do and was able to answer most of our questions and respond to our frustrations.
Chris, 'Thank You' on behalf of the WBA committee and all attendees. We look forward to continuing our working relationship into the future.
AGM Meeting Minutes will be posted asap.
in the meantime, here are some (rough) notes made during the event and the questions posed for Chris Clark to answer:-
7 pm Thursday March 30th 2023
There were thirty two attendees. Thank you all for coming and supporting the committee, and for welcoming our Guest Speaker, Chris Clark, Head of Highways and Countryside Access at Wiltshire Council. Chris presented an insightful overview of what his department can and cannot do and was able to answer most of our questions and respond to our frustrations.
Chris, 'Thank You' on behalf of the WBA committee and all attendees. We look forward to continuing our working relationship into the future.
AGM Meeting Minutes will be posted asap.
in the meantime, here are some (rough) notes made during the event and the questions posed for Chris Clark to answer:-
| wba_agm23_chairmans-report.pdf |
