Hampshire County Council Item 9

Regulatory Committee

27^th April 2005

Dedication of Bridleway Rights along Footpath 6b, Hedge End

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Sally Plummer, ext 6040

Extract from the Highways Act 1980

Section 25(1) - Creation of a Footpath or Bridleway by Agreement

A Local Authority may enter into an agreement with any person having the necessary power in that behalf for the dedication by that person of a footpath or bridleway over land in their area...

1. Summary

1.1 Hampshire County Council Estates Department have offered the dedication of a bridleway along Footpath 6b, Hedge End, shown from points A to B on the attached plan. Horse ownership in the local area is significant and this route links Bridleway 6 in Botley with permissive bridle routes and `greenways' running through Hedge End. This will also benefit cyclists accessing Botley and the wider countryside and Hedge End and its station.

1.2 Until recently a permissive bridleway ran parallel to Footpath 6b alongside the railway line, shown from points A to C on the attached plan. This route was difficult for horseriders to use as the trains travelling past at such close proximity distressed the horses. This permissive route will remain as a permissive footpath

1.3 The Committee is recommended to accept the offer with thanks.

2. Description of the new path (s)

The proposed bridleway will follow the route of Footpath 6b from its junction with Woodhouse Lane, point A on the attached plan, north west to the edge of the housing, then turning south west to point B, a total length of approximately 850 metres.

3. Summary of Consultations

3.1 Local Member Councillor Brown

Councillor Brown has no objections to the application and believes that it will make a very good link.

3.2 Eastleigh Borough Council

The Borough Council has no objections to the proposal, however would be keen to see the permissive bridleway retained to allow permissive cycle use.

3.3 Hedge End Town Council

The Town Council has no objections providing that the permissive route is retained.

3.4 The County Council Highways Advisor

No objection to the proposal.

3.5 The County Archivist

No comment

3.6 The County Council Chief Planning Advisor

No comment

3.7 British Horse Society

The British Horse Society supports the proposal. The Society states that if the route is to be fenced this should be to a width of three metres minimum with any gates opening to 1.5 metres.

3.8 The Ramblers Association

The Association has no objection to the proposal, providing that the existing permissive route is retained as a permissive footpath.

The Association also request that the permissive footpath be dedicated as a public footpath to enlarge the rights of way network in the area. In conjunction with this the Association requests that the network of permissive routes that cross Hedge End be dedicated to allow them to be shown on the Definitive Map.

3.9 Open Spaces Society

No comments.

3.10 British Driving Society

As British Horse Society.

3.11 National Farmers Union

No comment.

3.12 Cyclists Touring Club

The Club states that the proposal would be welcomed as contributing to routes open to cyclists between Hedge End and Botley and towards Hedge End. It is presumed that the conversion would entail removal of any existing gates or stiles on the present footpath.

It is also hoped that the permissive route will be retained as a permissive footpath.

3.13 Trail Riders Fellowship

No comment

3.14 LARA

No objection. There may be some width increase needed next to the woods.

(Point A on the attached plan)

3.15 All Wheel Drive Club

No response

4. Comments on consultation responses

4.1 The permissive bridleway will be retained as a permissive footpath allowing for short circular walks from Hedge End. Dedication of the permissive route as a public footpath as well as the retention of permissive bridle/cycle rights was also considered, however County Estates and the tenant farmer were unwilling to pursue these courses of action.

4.2 The dedicated bridleway will be at least the same width as the public footpath and of a minimum width of 3 metres. There will be bridle gates at either end.

4.3 Some of the off road routes within Hedge End are not on the Definitive Map. Approaches have been made to Eastleigh Borough Council in the past to have the routes dedicated but the Council is unwilling to do so. Further discussions are currently taking place.

5. Financial Implications

The route is a wide, gravel surfaced footpath for most of its length. Accommodation works at the Woodhouse Lane end, point A on the attached plan, will be undertaken by the Area Officer along with the provision of bridle gates at either end. The County Estates Department will be fencing and hedging the most north westerly third of the route.

6. Conclusion

This dedication will provide a valuable link in the network of this area for commuting and recreational cyclists, walkers and horseriders. The route links directly with Bridleway 6, Botley and with informal routes within Hedge End. The current permissive riding route will be retained as a permissive footpath allowing for short circular walks direct from Hedge End.

7. Recommendation

The Committee is recommended to accept the dedication with thanks.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

File: Dedication: Upgrade of Footpath 6b to Bridleway, Hedge End

Rights of Way Office, Mottisfont Court, Winchester