NOTES FROM MEETING TUE 1ST March 2005 of
RIDERS INTERESTED IN IMPROVING EQUESTRIAN ACCESS IN WEST BERKS

at the Warren, Curridge, Nr Newbury, Berks

Present:
Jane Ashbridge (Compton); Caroline Booth (Winterbourne); Janice Bridger (Curridge/Chieveley); Maggie Bridges (Stratfield Mortimer); Candy Clarkson (Theale); Gill Hall (Cold Ash/Bucklebury);Ted May (Ashmore Green); Liz Newell-Hart (Stockcross)
Apologies:
Richard Maxwell (Bucklebury); Amanda May (Ashmore Green); Sonia McCabe (Beedon/Hampstead Norreys); Penny Reid (Lambourn)
New Introductions: Liz-Newell-Hart who was chairman of Mortimer Riding Club
Points from 26th Nov meeting No progress on a ride in BHS Access week incorporating the 2 new bridleway bridges (Jane/Janice) Link between Crabtree Lane to Doctors Lane, along Priors Court Rd. Hermitage: detailed plans studied. Off-road bridleway/track proposed by the developer & West Berks Council planning officer. This is after pressure over the last 5 years by Janice when various housing schemes have been put forward for Hermitage. Janice & others thought suitable. Going forward to planning meeting for final approval. Our current ROWIP draft had been sent out to the group. Elaine Cox, WBC, had reported that the ROWIP consultation period had not started yet. No start date given. A list of equestrian establishments had been complied at EC's request from names sent in by Jane, Ted, Candy, Janice & Maggie. Sent to EC who will be sending the ROWIP consultation letter to these establishments. Berkshire County Riding Club had placed the list on their website. The list had been sent out to the West Berks Riders email list. EC appreciative of this help. Jane had drafted a letter to go out to the equestrian establishments urging them to respond, giving them information and examples of what improvements might be asked for. Also informing them of the existence of our group. It was decided to send out the letter from the West Berks Riders group. Jane kindly offered to personally fund the costs including postage. Lambourn Valley Way. The idea of upgrading this/part of this to bridleway status has been raised by members of the group. So far: Keith Tomey (Snelsmore ranger) has suggested upgrade of a section south of Snelsmore common; Amanda & Ted had walked and assessed sections to the west of Snelsmore Common (some impediments) & had spoken to the farm manager at Welford; Penny & Janice had walked and assessed sections at and west of Great Shefford (report available; some impediments but not thought insurmountable); Penny had written to EC to suggest upgrade.
Further ideas for ROWIP Upgrade of road verges to be horse friendly
Jane & Caroline had the name of the person at WBC who knew ownership of all the West Berks road verges. Caroline to investigate the status of the West to East Ilsley road verge which was in the draft ROWIP suggested by Briony Grose. Action: Caroline
Verges have a number of problems for horse use and many will be inadequate
Verge on Hermitage-Yattendon Rd north of Birch farm to go into the ROWIP (Ted)
Verge on B4494 Newbury-Wantage road near Chieveley bridleway 5 (Caroline & Janice) Some footpaths in Compton (Jane) Further footpath upgrades in Beech Hill/ Stratfield Mortimer area sent in after meeting by Maggie. Candy's route linking the Chilterns to the Hampshire Downs across the Kennet Valley passing through Theale/ Tidmarsh/ Aldermaston areas. Candy had mapped and walked the proposed route which will link the 2 arms of the North Wessex Downs AONB. Special meeting to be arranged to sort out details (Candy/Ted/Janice). Name required for route. Action: Candy Tracey Martin & Janice were developing further ideas in the Great Shefford/ East Garston area to allow usage of bridleways which ended up on the dangerous B400 or Shefford-Garston rd Safe parking for trailers/horse boxes.
Jane had been leading popular escorted rides. There was a need for parking without height restrictions. Include in ROWIP. Farmers to be encouraged to offer parking for which they could levy a fee. Alden farm, Upton already did this. A list could be produced.
Cold Ash news
Gill was finding out about the ownership from the Land Registry of the footpath off the Ridge with a view to upgrade. Caroline offered to get a suitable map for the application. Parish Council not sympathetic to upgrade. Action: Caroline
There was recent trouble with the Bovington bridleway (contact Gill). Richard Maxwell had walked it and found the gates not too bad.
'Spokes' plans for a cycle track on the disused Newbury-Hermitage-Didcot railway track. Gill had received quite detailed plans via Cold Ash PC. Ted to contact Spokes (www.westberkshirespokes.org) to put the case for including horse-riders/assess attitude to including horse-riders. EC had already suggested incorporation of horse use to Spokes. We might assess how different parts of the railway line might link into riding routes eg form a circular ride incorporating the Curridge-Shaw bridleway which ends up on Love Lane in Newbury.
Mid & West Berkshire Local Access Forum ROWIP training meeting Jan 19th 2005. Five riders had gone along as observers (Richard Maxwell, Maggie Bridges, Janice Bridger, Karen Pewter, C. Davies). It was useful to put some faces to names and learn more about the ROWIP process. Janice has been appointed to the LAF from April 2005 which has good horse representation.
Ridgeway
Penny had written a letter dated 1/2/05 on its current state after the TROs had been put in place to Ian Ritchie, the Ridgeway officer, Elaine Cox, the Countryside Agency, Oxfordshire Countryside Services, GLEAM & Yvonne Constance.
Jane reported that the TROs on the Ridgeway appeared to be deflecting motorised users to other previously undamaged tracks.
A.O.B.
Mounting blocks had been installed on new A34 & M4 bridleway bridges. Ted reported that there was a ringing effect while riding over the M4 bridge. A rubberised surface would be better. West Berks Ramblers had organized a well-attended walk last Sunday to view/use both the bridges. Janice & Liz had gone along. New ROW signs were being used by WBC which were rather pointed. Some posts being put in rather inconvenient places. Needs to be taken up with WBC. Action: Jane? Farm walk on 20th March at Eling, nr Hermitage to view new bridleways under Defra Countryside Stewardship scheme. Good rider presence would be good as Harold Makant, Defra Reading, will be there.
Next Meeting: undecided JCB 6 March 2005