WHOA Newsletter NO. 4 - 02.10.13

News –

We would like to say a big thank you to Sarah Rushby from Dodson and Horrell, who gave a very interesting talk on winter feeding at our last meeting on October 25 th . Everyone found the question and answer session at the end especially helpful.

General:

Bradford MDC - Dangerous Roads and Crossings

Many thanks to all of you who have sent in forms showing the locations of dangerous road crossings and places where riders feel intimidated by speeding traffic and poor visibility. We have sent all the information to the Council. Hopefully, the Highways and Planning Departments will now have a better idea of our needs.

Bradford’s Woodland

Members have previously mentioned an increasing reduction of their informal access to Bradford owned woodland across the district (for example, the new gates into Hirst Wood, Shipley, and problems in Buck Wood, Idle).

A recent application to add several footpaths to the Definitive Map in woodland near Royds Hall, , presented an opportunity to raise this as an issue. In response Danny Jackson has kindly arranged for Bob Thorpe (head of woodland management) to attend the next Local Access Forum meeting. He will explain his management objectives and we hope he will be able incorporate some access for horse riders into those.

The Great Northern Trail - Thornton

A new section linking Thornton Village to the Viaduct was opened on 3 rd August. The section of the Trail from Thornton to Clayton, (which includes access for horse riders), was opened last year. However, at that time there was still a missing link to the Thornton Road for cyclists and horse riders. Successful negotiations between Miller Homes, Sustrans, and Bradford Council have now made that possible. Thank you!

Visit to and Bridleways Association

Pam, Didy and Sue Hogg attended a meeting of HAOBA to explain what we are doing in our area. They will be happy for us to include their area on our website map. This will be useful as our areas do overlap in and . We have also offered to help with their claims when time allows.

Bridleways News: Tewitt House to The Green – ( 75)

The Council is not yet begun to process this claim but it is in the queue.

Royds Hall Lane – Wyke

Whilst looking into the footpath applications (mentioned above – Woodlands), we found that Royds Hall Lane is not recorded on the Definitive Map. It is however, marked on the Bradford ROWIP Plan as a route where a new bridleway should be added.

At present only an application to add a footpath has been submitted to the Council. But, as it is on the List of Streets as ancient highway maintainable by the Council we have been understand that it will not be necessary to research a claim.

It is an important route as it links to ‘Sowden Lane’, which is a continuation of this bridleway in the Calderdale District. Shibden and District Bridleways Association are preparing a claim for their portion, so if you use this route you might like to download the evidence form from their website. http://www.shibdenanddistrict.co.uk/page21.html

Golcar Farm via Birch Close Lane to Faweather (+branch north to the reservoir) – /Bingley

We have now provided Bradford ROW Department with pretty compelling evidence that this route should be upgraded to a bridleway.

Cullingworth 134 & 140

Following our successful challenge to an application to downgrade these paths, (inspector’s decision in January 2012); nearly 2 years, on Bridleway 134 is still obstructed and cannot be used. We have asked the council to remove the obstruction.

West Hall, Nesfield to High Mill Lane,

Finally some good news! Thanks to some persistent work by Keith Wighton of Harrogate Bridleways Association; NYCC has now informed him that the owner on the Nesfield side has agreed to withdraw his objection to this claim.

NYCC are hoping that the order will be confirmed without further delay. Unfortunately, there will be some clearance work needed on the Bradford side of the river. When the claim was submitted in 1997, there was a relatively small scrubby tree growing on the slipway. Fifteen years on, it may now be quite a healthy specimen. Let’s hope that will not present a problem.

Maintenance Problems

Willow Lane/Mill Lane, Guiseley The bridleway at Mill Lane / Willow lane (behind golf course) Hawksworth has become overgrown this summer. We would like to organise a working party to clear it but will have to agree this with Leeds CC first. Please get in touch if you would like to help.

On the same path (Baildon 17) the gate near the bridge at Park is sticking and is awkward to use. Bradford Council is aware of this and has asked the Countryside Service to have a look at it.

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