Horse-riding and the law

Your responsibilities
All countryside users should follow the countryside code. If using paths, you should obviously be careful not to stray from the correct line – look at information on way-marking and following Rights of Way. As users of the road network, you should also follow the Highway Code and be aware of advice on Road Safety.

What if there’s a problem?
For sites, contact the site managers with any problems.

Problems unfortunately can always arise - overhanging trees, badly churned-up surfaces, obstructions, barbed wire, etc. The Countryside Service is responsible for ensuring that public rights of way in Hampshire are kept in good condition for public use. This work includes the maintenance of surfaces and structures such as bridges and boardwalks. The British Horse Society Rights of Way Committee work closely with the Countryside Service to report and clear problems. If you would like to report a problem, please contact the County Council information centres on 0800 028 0888 or use the comments form.

When reporting a problem, it is essential that you can define exactly where the problem is - the safest way of doing this is by giving a grid reference from an OS map. Follow this link to find out how to read a grid reference.

The British Horse Society web-site includes details of a technical nature, including policy on widths, surfaces, etc.

The future of access to the countryside

Finding New Routes
There is a new project titled 'Discovering Lost Ways' whose objective is to research old roads and tracks that it is believed are not correctly shown on the definitive map. We have until the year 2026 to find them and get them recorded - otherwise they will be lost forever. If you are interested in this fascinating work and can spare some time contact the BHS Access and Bridleways officer as below. Training and help can be given and there is huge satisfaction in bringing an old route back into use for future generations of riders and drivers to enjoy.

BHS Rights of Way contacts:
Hampshire Access and Bridleways Officer - Brenda King rking@fsbdial.co.uk tel 01730 264178
Assistant ABO - Maureen Comber m.comber@btinternet.com tel 01420 472318

Countryside and Rights of Way Act
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is the culmination of much lobbying and campaigning by interest groups over several decades, and makes some important steps towards providing better, and more, access.

The Act requires every highway authority (county and unitary councils) and National Park Authority to set up a ‘Local Access Forum’; this is the site of the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum, which is the local access forum for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The aim of the forum is to provide guidance and contribute towards improving opportunities to enjoy Hampshire’s countryside and coast.

New Class of Right of Way
The Act requires all RUPPs (roads used as a public path) to be reclassified, as the legal definition of a RUPP is unclear. A new class of Right of Way, known as a 'Restricted Byway', will allow walking, cycling, horse-riding and carriage-driving but not motorised vehicles. It is likely that many of the RUPPS will be reclassified as Restricted Byways.

Road Crossings
The Forum is actively working with HCC Countryside Service, who are liaising with the Highways sections in seeking improvements to routes, particularly where they meet roads.  This is being taken forward through a pilot project known as the 'Whole Network Approach'.

Improvements to access - Rights of Way Improvement Plans
The Act also requires every county/unitary authority to produce 'Rights of Way Improvement Plans' (ROWIPs); Hampshire's Countryside Service was chosen to provide national pilot ROWIPs in two areas (the Forest of Bere and the Forest of Eversley) and we advised in detail on these. As a result, we advised on a process for producing plans for the remaining areas across the county, which was subsequently adopted by the County Council.  Progress on these plans is shown on the Hampshire County Council web-site.

Actions from the plans will be specific improvements targeted to meet particular needs, for example:

• ensuring safe, well-connected and useful routes for all users
• providing new links between areas and circuits of differing length and character
• targeted incentives for land managers to provide appropriate countryside access
• supporting rural businesses through promotion of facilities for countryside users
• replacing stiles with structures that are easier to use for the elderly and those with pushchairs, or removing structures altogether where they are unnecessary
• providing extra facilities for horse-riders and cyclists

Management of protected areas
Finally, the Act also encourages better management of the countryside, through a requirement for AONBs to create management plans and through promoting good practice in conservation.