BOROUGH OF

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER 2005

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

HORSE ACCESS ON THE CASTLEMAN TRAILWAY

1. Purpose of Report and Policy Content

1.1 To consider a petition from 125 local riders on use of the Castleman Trailway

1.2 The provision of safe riding routes relate to the Council priorities: -

1.2.1 Clean, green and safe

1.2.2 Strong sense of community

1.2.3 Health and well being

2. Recommendations

It is recommended that members :

2.1 Thank the members of the Poole & District Pony Club for their petition and note its’ contents, but in the light of the current Management Plan for Castleman Trailway re-affirm that horseriders cannot currently use this route.

2.2 Note that consideration of the Rights of way Improvement Plan is likely to focus on improvements to the alternative routes of BR93 and BR27, building on improvements that have already been undertaken, to encourage horseriders to use this route.

2.3 Encourage riding and pony clubs to consult with the community including rider’s code of conduct on bridleways (no jumping, cantering or galloping).

3. Information

3.1. The Council is under a statutory duty to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan by November 2007 and as part of the Local Transport Plan from 2010.

3.2. The Rights of Way Improvement covers cycleways, footpaths, bridleways and byways.

4. Petition

4.1 A petition of Poole & District Pony Club and Wimborne and District Riding Club was received in November 2005 with 125 signatories.

1 4.2 The petition asks “Poole & District Pony Club children and the Wimborne & District Riding Club members ask your council to allow us use of the Castleman Trailway in your Rights of Way Imrovement Plan.” The reason for their petition is “This would bring riders from Upton on BR1 through to Broadstone and on to Merley and Oakley Hill above Wimborne. The trailway would be used by riders from the North and South to Higher Merley Farm where riding club events are held.”

4.3 The addresses of the signatories ( although these are not necessarily where horses are kept) are Wimborne (18), Corfe Mullen (18), Broadstone (11), Creekmoor (10), Oakdale (8), Merley (7), Parkstone (7), together with individuals in Canford Heath, Canford Magna, Branksome, Stapehill, Hamworthy, the Tarrants, Upton, Lytchett Matravers, Wallisdown, Hurn, Christchurch, , , Verwood, Fordingbridge, , St Leonards, Woodlands and Poole Town.

5 Background

5.1 Status

5.2 The Castleman Trailway in the Borough of Poole is not a right of way for most of its length but is a permissive route”, ie access is by permission of the landowner which is mostly the Council. In addition a small section is owned by Broadstone Golf Course and leased to the Council. It is open to walkers and cyclists but not horseriders, although some riders claim to have used it for some time before they were excluded (see item 5.3 below ).

5.2.1 The Castleman Trailway North east out of the Borough of Poole goes via Stapehill, Uddens, West Moors and Ashley Heath (Appendix A). Again this is mostly a permissive route, open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

5.3 Management

5.3.1 Leisure Services operate a Management Plan for the Council owned land section of the Castleman Trailway, from Merley to Creekmoor, developed in 1999 following extensive consultation. Responses were received from 120 people as well as organisations such as the British Horse Society (BHS), Broadstone Residents Association and Local Agenda 21. The British Horse Society submitted 18 questionnaire forms. The results were:

(a) Local Agenda 21, The Ramblers Association, Herpetological Conservation Trust and 55% of local respondents did not want horse access.

(b) The British Horse Society and 44.2% respondents were in favour of a 1 year trial of horse riding from the Willet Arms in Merley to Bridleways 94 and 27.

The main reasons given for preventing horse access were:-

 Damage to the surface (reason given by 81.1% of ‘no’ votes) and cost

2  Potential danger to other users (37.8%) and intimidation of other users (16.2%)

5.3.2 In January 2000 Culture and Leisure Committee approved the trailway management plan report recommendations: -

(a) “not to go ahead with the introduction of horse access on a one year trial basis for the time being with further consideration once an overall assessment of horse access in the Borough was carried out”

(b) in mitigation of this to seek, with Transportation Services, to improve condition of the three bridleways in Delph Woods, particularly No 27 which runs alongside the trailway”.

6 Current situation

6.1 Update on the Castleman Trailway since the 2000 Report Recommendations

6.1.1 BR27 runs parallel to the trailway And has recently been cleared of all overhanging vegetation and low branches on the stretch managed by Leisure.

6.1.2 The Castlemain Trailway has been resurfaced over the past 2 years.

6.1.3 The Rights of Way Officer met with representative of the British Horse Society for Poole in 2003 and 2005 to discuss horse access issues.

6.2 Strong Sense of Community

6.2.1 The British Horse Society support activities of Poole & District riding and Pony clubs engage young people, promote responsibility and forge team work, achievements and friendships.

6.2.2 There are often negative perceptions of horse and pony riders as affluent landowners who should provide their own routes. Many participants rent land to keep horses, some children work to finance their horses or have a horse on free loan to take part in club events.

6.2.3 Poole & District Pony Club children undertake exams in horse welfare and road safety. They participate at high levels in national and regional competitions.

6.3 Health and Well Being

6.3.1 Riding improves fitness, gives a sense of well being and healthy competition.

6.3.2 There is significant use of specially adapted equipment for riding for the disabled in Poole. Riding for the disabled is reported to give a sense of empowerment, well-being, enjoyment and some physical health benefits by strengthening neck muscles of children who normally use wheelchairs.

3 7 Financial Consideration

7.1 There are currently no identified funds for rights of way improvements although it is likely that schemes will be put forward in the provisional Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 and ROWIP.

JAMES T BRIGHT Head of Transportation Services

CLIVE SMITH Head of Leisure Services

Previous Reports: Report to Culture and Leisure Committee by the Head of Leisure Services on the Consultation Process for the Creekmoor to Merley Trailway Management Plan January 2000

Appendix A – Location Map

Appendix B – Extract from the Castleman Trailway Leaflet

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact: Transportation Services :Beverley Lagden (01202 262060) Leisure Services : Matti Raudsepp (01202 261377 )

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THE APPENDICES TO THIS REPORT ARE NOT AVAILABLE ELCTRONICALLY – PLEASE CONTACT LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES SHOULD A COPY BE REQUIRED.

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