A new toolkit launched by The British Horse Society will help to get historic bridleways and off-road riding routes in England and Wales recorded on the definitive map before they become at risk of being lost.
Any such routes not recorded by a 2026 cut-off date imposed by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) will be in danger of being closed to horse riders and carriage drivers. Potentially thousands of historic routes could be jeopardised.
This is a very real threat to horse riders, who may currently be riding on unrecorded routes unknowingly. With less access to safe off-road riding than ever before riders cannot afford to lose the routes they currently do have, and unless action is taken, this could be a reality.
The bridleways group is looking into popular rides in this area but we need your help to pinpoint lesser known routes.
The BHS toolkit contains all the information needed to check whether the routes you ride are recorded, and if they aren’t how you can preserve them beyond 2026. Please let the group know if you find any unrecorded routes in the area – info@saltburndistrictbridleways.co.uk.
Getting these historic routes accurately recorded on the definitive map is the only way to ensure that they won’t be lost after 2026.
Visit www.bhs.org.uk to download a toolkit and make sure the routes you ride are not at risk.
