Routes News Archive
Kennel Lane, East Pennard
Last year, you may remember the installation of the new horse bridge on Kennel Lane which was jointly funded between MBBA and Mendip District Council.
Riders in the area, although delighted with the new bridge, were still reporting problems with several deep areas along the track, so after consultation with our Treasurer the MBBA committee agreed to spend some of the 2009 budget to bring the track up to a high standard which would stand the test of time. MDC once again kindly agreed to joint fund this work and local riders successfully used the lane moments after the contractors left. Obviously the work on the lane looks very new at present but nature will work her magic with fallen leaves and debris and the stone surface will settle to become a delightful historic route open for all, after many years of disuse.
Hunters Lodge UCR, Wanstrow
About five years ago, riders and walkers in Wanstrow were bewailing the fact that the lane past Hunters Lodge was completely overgrown and impassable.
Fortunately a friendly local farmer had allowed riders to use his driveway to access the network of bridleways in that area instead of using the UCR. However, Highways have a duty to keep clear all UCRs, (although it comes low on their list of priorities!) and so contact was made with the relevant officers and promises received. Endless delays were experienced due to poor weather, nesting birds, contractors going to the wrong site etc! And the clearance of Hunters Lodge was fast becoming one of MBBA’s longest projects!
Five years of phone calls, emails and meetings have finally resulted in this lane receiving a thorough clearance and it is now completely open to ride. The surface in places is still quite deep and while the lane is clear and wide enough for contractors’ vehicles, MBBA will hopefully be able to negotiate the necessary improvements.
Hunters Lodge in 2008
Hunters Lodge – job done! 2009 Thank you Highways.
Update
Improvements to the surface, which included considerable ditching and drainage and re surfacing, were funded by MBBA after Highways cleared the route. The bridleway gate at the end of the route has also been re located for ease of use.
Honeycliff, Batcombe
Honeycliffe bridleway has recently been improved by SCC. Ditches at the top have been cleared allowing run-off from the road to avoid the bridleway. Two concrete grips have been built across the track to divert water and the surface has been attended to. Feedback would be welcomed on this route as MBBA believe that a more sophisticated solution is needed.
Update
The surface is holding up well, thanks to works done last year by SCC.
Stonedown UCR, Alham
After three years of negotiations, the entire lane length has finally been resurfaced, ditched and hedged. There have been many glitches along the way and thanks go to member Yvonne Sommer for relentlessly pursuing Highways, which eventually did a splendid job on this route.
Extensive work was successfully and finally carried out to UCR Stonedown Lane, Alham by Highways
Burnt House Drove, Shepton Mallet
The entire length of Burnt House Drove has now been totally resurfaced. It is stony at present but should bed down and allow vegetation to re-grow. This project took more funds than at first envisaged as the original work resulted in a few deep areas remaining. In view of the recent heavy rain it was felt that the whole length should be made ‘all weather’ and MBBA duly allocated extra funds. See photos further down.
Watery Lane, Norton St Philip
Substantial improvements are needed and work should commence on this route in the early part of 2009.
Update
Faulkland– Somerset County Council have finally agreed work to upgrade this route. A stone crushing machine will be used to break down the rocks which at present make the route tricky to negotiate. This work should commence early in 2010 and will be funded jointly by SCC and MBBA. We will report on progress.
Modifications and Appeal Updates
Coleford and Mells
The Highways Authorities have prevented the dedication of this route as it fails their safety criteria. A Modification Order based on user evidence would now appear to be the way forward.
Ston Easton
Application for a bridleway across Farrington Gurney Golf course. Decision is that no Order be made. Appeal made by applicant to Government Office – awaiting outcome
St Cuthbert Out and Priddy
Recommendation made to make Restricted Byway Order. Matter considered at Regulation Committee on 7th October 08, decision not to make Order, applicant has lodged an appeal.
Higher Pitts - Priddy
Following the decision by SCC to make an Order, the landowner has agreed to dedicate the bridleway.
Fordbury Lane - Great Elm
MBBA applied in 1996 to upgrade the footpath along Fordbury lane to a bridleway. Dedication of a bridleway is being sought by SCC as an alternative to the Modification Order process.
Footpaths – Street and Butleigh
The SCC’s investigation of the MBBA 2001 application to extend Gypsy Lane by upgrading public footpaths resulted in a comprehensive report which could not confirm any historical evidence.
Complete Upgrade of Burnt House Drove, near Shepton Mallet
Burnt House Drove was claimed as a dedication several years ago by MCTT, however the surface of the route was not improved at that time in line with SCC guide lines and as such has been extremely boggy for many months of each year, thus rendering it unrideable in all but the driest conditions.
MBBA member Irene Minty was concerned by this situation and speaking on behalf of local riders asked MBBA for their help. After a number of site meetings, work commenced on the gateway area earlier this month and the results are shown below.
Having negotiated match funding with Mendip District Council, MBBA have allocated a further £2,000 (half the cost of the £4,000 bill) to be spent on this route in August in order to create a good riding surface.
For the whole project, the total bill for MBBA will be nearly two and a half thousand pounds – money well spent in order to bring the route up to standard and allow riders to use this pretty lane. The photos show the route as it is today; the ‘after’ shots will be available for comparison when work is completed!! Contractors are due to begin work in the latter half of August and while this resurfacing is in progress it is regretted that the route will be closed for a week.
|
| Burnt House Drove at the beginning of works |
|
| Burnt House Drove, Shepton Mallet, totally resurfaced. The lane will be rolled in Spring to complete the job. |
Tanners Lane - A Successful Result
No objections were received by Somerset County Council regarding the outcome of the recent Public Inquiry into the lane’s status. The inspector ruled that the route should be reclassified as a BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic) and changes will therefore be made to the definitive map to reflect this.
This route is now open to riders. The squeeze stile has been removed and the top half of the lane has been fenced to protect adjoining stock straying onto the route. The cost of clearance and fencing was funded jointly by the land owner and MBBA .
Although this route has been classified as a BOAT, you should not meet motorised traffic while riding this narrow lane as it exits onto Restricted Byways at the Northern end thus making it, in effect, a dead-end with no turning place for vehicles. Horse riders will now be able to access these Restricted Byways more safely without riding on the busy main road.
Huckeymeade and Hembridge Drove, East Pennard. 2007
Mendip Bridleways and Byways Association have recently improved the condition of these two Droves using money raised from the excellent Glastonbury Festival Fun Ride held in September 2007. Local landowner Bernard Kingston assisted by doing a superb job of cutting back hedges and digging out the ditches. Local contractors Tom Yeoman of Ditcheat and Roger Cox of East Pennard did a good job improving the surfaces.
For many years local horse riders from around East Pennard, Ditcheat, Parbrook and Lottisham had been asking for help to improve the surfaces of the Droves. Over the years lack of maintenance and neglect had resulted in the route becoming virtually impassable for horses because of thick clay bogs, brambles and fallen trees. There are very few safe off-road routes for horse riders to use in this area and therefore Hembridge and Huckeymeade are important as they allow riders to get off the narrow lanes and busy roads. Unfortunately because these two Droves were not on the Definitive map as either an unclassified county highway or bridlepath, Somerset County Council and Mendip District Council were unable to help so MBBA decided to use the money raised from the Fun Ride on the Festival ground to improve the route.
A total of £2,900 has been spent on Hembridge and Huckeymeade by MBBA, with both Droves being open to riders from November 2007. Again special thanks to Bernard who gave us so much help and support.
|
|
| Hembridge Lane before clearance | Hembridge Lane after clearance |
|
|
Malcolm Chorlton (lef) and Ann Fellingham (right) who own the livery yard on Hembridge Lane make their way on horseback along the newly cleared drove with Harriet Ray (MBBA) and farmer Bernard Kingston who helped with the clearing process. Update In 2007, considerable improvements were carried out to the surface of this route, however new areas on this drove are now causing problems for riders and MBBA have agreed a spend of a further £3,000 to bring the whole route up to a decent standard. The works will commence when weather permits. |
Kennel Lane, Restricted Byway, East Pennard. 2007
This restricted byway running through beautiful woods behind East Pennard church had become unusable by horse riders due to extensive overgrowth of vegetation and the fact that a stream with steep banks bisects the track. The crossing of the stream was only possible on foot using two planks of wood.
Kennel Lane was looked at in detail jointly by MBBA committee members and Shelia Petherbridge (Mendip District Council Rights of Way Officer) with a view to reopening it to horse riders. With Shelia overseeing the work, the route was cleared and an “equine” bridge was installed by MDC over the stream. The bridge is wonderful, by the way, so do get out there on your horse and use it!
This route was fully open by November 2007 with MBBA contributing £1,800 towards the costs. Our thanks go to Shelia for overseeing this successful joint venture between MBBA and MDC. The improved Kennel Lane is now enjoyed by local dog walkers and cyclists too, which is good news. If any local rider would like to become a member of MBBA or help at our Fun Rides please call 01749 831 276.
|
|
|
The equine bridge constructed over the stream at Kennel Lane bridlepath, East Pennard |