Current SDBG projects

1. Update on the Application to upgrade Footpaths 2, 7 and 5 (or parts of!) between Stapleford, Babraham and Sawston to bridleways. In October we finally got a response from the County Council and were initially pleased that they were recommending what they call routes 1 & 2 (Stapleford to the river and the on to Babraham - known to us as Rowley Lane) be upgraded to brdleway. Great! However, they said there was insufficient evidence that the track from Sawston up to Rowley Lane was a bridleway and could not therefore recommend that that be upgraded too. We have appealed on several legal grounds and the decision is currently under review by the Director of Highways, Mark Kemp. IN THE MEANTIME WE NEED MORE USER EVIDENCE FORMS SENDING TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL!!!!

2. Multiuser tracks. The tracks on Newton Hill and from Stapleford to Magog Down are now completed. The former is in constant use. Two things have arisen from these tracks:

* The one in Newton has led to the County Council working with the parish councils and, funding permitting, they are hoping to put in more track from Little Shelford to the bridleway on Whittlesford Road - watch this space. * The Stapleford one has led to a landowner agreeing to create a permissive track around the edge of a field leading to a 1.7km extra stretch of off road riding. Again, this is under development so watch this space for details. 

Upgrade of Rowley Lane

Aim: To upgrade the status of Rowley Lane (running between Babraham, Sawston and Stapleford) from a public footpath to public bridleway.

There has been horse riding on Rowley Lane for over 30 years but, in order to apply for its upgrade from public footpath to public bridleway, we need letters and, in particular, photographic evidence of riding along the lane. 'User evidence forms' can be downloaded from the Cambridgeshire County Council website. Please fill these in and send to Jane!

New Bridleways in the Wandlebury area

Aim: To create new bridleways to link up the Wandlebury area with Cambridge and other local tracks.

SDBG are keen to help plan new bridleways with the Cambridge Preservation Society on their land and that belonging to the Gog Magog Trust. We aim to link up the Wandlebury area with local permissive tracks and public rights of way.

Trumpington Meadows, Clay Farm and Addenbrookes Hospital Development Plans

SDBG are active in ensuring access to permissive tracks and to campaign for new bridleways and link tracks to meet the needs of the local riding community in and around these new housing and other developments.

Latest news!

Following an initiative instigated by our group, the County Council have been building multi-user tracks (horse/cycle/pedestrian) along Haverhill Road and Newton Hill. These will a) keep horses and riders off dangerous road sections and b) allow us to plan circular routes. From the track we were able to hack past Newton Church and take advantage of Oliver Walston's permissive tracks. Signs are up explaining the new track and asking horse riders to please walk during the winter months. Tracks to be completed by March 2009.

Work is progressing meanwhile on the track from Stapleford up to Magog Down.

Awards to local landowners and the County Council

SDBG secured BHS awards to local landowners and the County Council after nominating them in recognition of their roles in the upgrades of and repairs to local access routes. Read more in this article (Word document).

SDBG members riding (with permission) on stubble fields near Shelford

Public bridleway access in our area

Maps of local public and permissive paths

• Interactive maps of public and permissive paths in the area can be accessed via the Cambridgeshire County Council webpage.

• Walks, rides and areas of open access have been provided under the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes. Some of these also have bridleway access. For detailed maps and information on walks and rides using Permissive Routes, see the Defra Walks & Rides webpage

• Vicki has compiled a list of local bridleways, byways and permissive paths on her website www.halfhalt.net

We eventually hope to have an interactive map of our own, detailing all the routes in our area for public access on horseback. Watch this space!

Cycleway between Great Shelford and Addenbrookes hospital

Current status: Horses can ride along this track but we MUST clean up after ourselves if we use it (yes, that means getting off and cleaning up!). At this moment in time, this track allows horse riders to get safely from Stapleford to the permissive tracks beside Addenbrookes hospital. However, we also do need to become more involved in the forward planning for paths in the new Addenbrookes development.

Keeping our verges clear

If anyone is encountering problems with paths and verges please inform the County Council especially fly tipping and excess rubbish. There is a link for reporting on their web site.
Go to: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment, click on 'Countryside and wildlife', then 'Countryside access'. Use the panel on the far right hand side entitled 'Do it online'.

Completed Projects

Upgrade of Whittlesford-Thriplow footpath

The public footpath between Whittlesford and Thriplow was upgraded to a public bridleway in February 2007.
SDBG are delighted with the creation of this new bridleway!  

Mary, Hayley and Jane enjoying the new bridleway

Thriplow permissive tracks

Over 12km of new permissive tracks have been provided in Thriplow. This permissive bridleway can be accessed from several points in and around the villages of Newton, Thriplow, Foxton and Fowlmere. See this link on the Defra website for a map and more information. Please be respectful when using the bridleways and stick to the official tracks.

Byway bridge over the M11

Back in 2006 there was significant damage to the railings of the bridge that crosses over the busy M11 along the Little Shelford Byway number 3. Eventually, after much campaigning by SDBG to the underfunded Highways agency, repairs were made. Today, these scenes look much better!

Pictures of the damage:

SDBG secured BHS awards to the County Council and Highways Agency for their roles in the repairs.
Read more in this article (Word document).

News from other bridleways groups in the area

Fenland Bridleways Association - new bridleway "Harrisons Drove"

Despite objections by concerned ramblers, villagers and boat owners, Harrisons Drove (between Upware and Burwell) was finally officially opened to horseriders and cyclists as well as walkers. Link to the News report by the Ely Standard (6th June 2007).

Local supporter Joy Fuller and friends ride along Harrisons Drove to celebrate the opening of the new bridleway

Fenland Bridleways Association - Don't ditch our lodes!

Please sign the petition to help save our Lodes. These are part of our local history and as important as any listed monument (eg the Devil's Dyke) or building.

"Some 30 years ago, a successful campaign was waged to save The Cambridgeshire Lodes, ancient canals of probable Roman origin - principally Bottisham, Swaffham Bulbeck, Reach, Burwell and Wicken Lodes - which were threatened by the then authorities. A decision was made to maintain and to preserve The Lodes. Such is the situation today: The Lodes have been maintained and preserved. But new documents indicate that The Environment Agency has commissioned a 'scoping report' costing some £200,000 and that it is looking critically at The Lodes, an option again being that of converting all or some of them into ditches. The old campaign slogan - 'Don't Ditch Our Lodes!' - is just as relevant now as it was in the 1970s. A new factor is The National Trust’s plans to buy up and partially to flood some 10,000 acres of rich fen land and the Trust says that 'lowering' some of The Lodes would be 'acceptable.' Lowering is much the same as ditching. The Swaffham Internal Drainage Board and Swaffham Prior Parish Council support The Lodes being maintained. But the Philistines could be triumphant if their opponents are inactive. So, this is a call to those with influence to use it!"

To sign the petition, please go to: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/OurLODES/

Brampton Bridleways Group - A14 crossings request

Please support our campaign for a Non-Motorised User crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders over the A1/new A14.
The A14 severs a lot of bridleways and tracks - crossing it would be a huge step forward.

http://www.brampton-cambs-pc.gov.uk/NMUXQuestionnaire.htm

British Horse Society News

Equestrian Access Petitions

Links to the petition for Equestrian Access and BHS Press Release can be found on the BHS East of England petition webpage.

A new petition to provide funding and use legislation for creation of new public bridleways has been submitted by Sue Jeggo. To sign up, click on http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/publicbridleways/