Coastal Access for Equestrians - Your Help IS needed

A Bill will soon be going through Parliament to provide a right of access along the whole of the coast. However, this is only to be for walkers even though the corridor will be 4 metres wide, that is, wider than many existing bridleways.
The British Horse Society, along with a number of other organizations, has been lobbying for the corridor to also be available for horse riders, but Natural England says no. However, this will be determined by a vote in Parliament by our MPs early in the new year.
The BHS is asking all of us to lobby our MPs to speak up for equestrians. It could not be easier to do. The BHS has produced a striking coloured postcard - electronic version attached attached. Just fill in your name on the attached, pop in an envelope and send to your MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Richard Benyon covers much of this area but find out who your MP is on www.writetothem.com.
Please consider sending in the postcard even though we are not on the coast. Many riders use beaches now and there are concerns that even these rights will be compromised. At the very minimum, lobbying our MPs will raise the profile of equestrians generally - we always seem to be left out when new things are proposed - remember right to roam (Open Access) for walkers? Also, do not worry too much about the practicalities (abseiling down cliffs might not appeal..!) as this is being sorted out for walkers.
Actual postcards are available from me. Let me know if you can leave some at your yard to send one in & I will send you some. Address please.
Fuller details can be found on the attached, on the main BHS website www.bhs.org.uk (click coastal access campaign) and on page 18 of the Sept / Oct British Horse magazine.
Please consider doing this - it will only take a minute. Postcards have already been distributed with British Horse, Rider magazine and through Berks County Riding Club so apologies to those of you who have already done this. The BHS plans more campaigns to try to improve equestrian access and rights of way which seems to be an uphill battle.
I have had a couple of holidays riding along the Dorset coast on my horse - wonderful & I will never forget them.

Many thanks.

Janice Bridger
BHS Access & Bridleways officer for West Berks
BHS Access & Bridleways officer for southern region