All you need to know about bridleways, including who can use them and why they are disappearing <\/p>
Ever wonder about those “bridleway” signs you see on walks? You’re not alone! The British Horse Society<\/a> explain what bridleways are and if they’re the same as footpaths.<\/strong><\/p> Bridleways are just one form of public rights of way that everyone\u00a0can\u00a0use freely at any time to move around the UK\u2019s countryside, towns, villages,\u00a0and urban areas alike.\u00a0<\/p> As part of the off-road network, bridleways are\u00a0widely recognised as\u00a0one of\u00a0the most important means of enabling people to access and explore the countryside. <\/p> They are protected by law with local authorities responsible for recording them, maintaining\u00a0them\u00a0and ensuring they are kept free of obstructions.<\/p> While bridleways\u00a0are often\u00a0used by people riding bikes or horses, or leading their horse, they are also open to\u00a0people\u00a0travelling\u00a0on foot.<\/p> The fundamental difference between\u00a0a bridleway and a footpath<\/a>, restricted\u00a0byway\u00a0and a byway open to all traffic<\/a> (often known as BOATs)\u00a0is the way\u00a0in which\u00a0you are allowed to use them.<\/p> Footpaths are only generally available to people on foot (which includes using mobility scooters and similar modes of\u00a0transport).\u00a0On the other hand, a restricted byway can be used by all those who can use bridleways as well as non-motorised vehicles such as carriage drivers.<\/p> BOATs are effectively part of the road network and are available for all to use,\u00a0although motor vehicles must be taxed, insured\u00a0and\u00a0MOT\u2019d,\u00a0as\u00a0required\u00a0on ordinary roads.\u00a0<\/p> There\u00a0is\u00a0an estimated\u00a0120,000 miles of public rights of way officially recorded across England and Wales. This is according to the Definitive Map<\/a> \u2013 the legal record of rights of way held by local authorities.<\/p> However, only about 27,000 miles of that is available to cyclists equestrians (approximately 21,000 miles of bridleway and 6,000 miles of restricted byway or BOAT). <\/p> Equally important as the total length is how they join up to create a network. It is very clear from looking at Definitive Maps that the network of bridleways and byways is very fragmented,\u00a0and it is often only possible to go on a circular route or similar by using sections of road to join them up.\u00a0<\/p> Some bridleways have been lost as development extends over more of the countryside. However, the bigger issue is that many bridleways and byways are not properly recorded on the Definitive Map; they may be recorded as a footpath only or are missing altogether.\u00a0<\/p> This is largely due to the way that the information was collected for Definitive Maps when they were first drawn up in the 1950s. Coming so soon after the end of the Second World War<\/a>, with the country poor and trying to rebuild, recreational horse riding was at\u00a0a\u00a0historical low and local councils were often keen to minimise their obligations and,\u00a0as a consequence, many so-called higher rights routes (bridleways and byways) were omitted or downgraded.<\/p> Any bridleway or byway that is not properly recorded is liable to be obstructed,\u00a0developed\u00a0or simply fall into disuse through neglect.\u00a0<\/p> However, the biggest risk to all these routes comes from a change in the law which will mean that any unrecorded bridleway (or footpath) will be legally closed and lost forever, if\u00a0the local authority has not received an application to add them to the Definitive Map\u00a0by 1 January 2031\u00a0\u2013 the so-called cut-off date.\u00a0<\/p> It is vital for horse riders, cyclists walkers,\u00a0and\u00a0all lovers of the great outdoors, that\u00a0we work together to ensure these\u00a0routes are researched and recorded on the Definitive Map, ahead of the deadline,\u00a0to\u00a0help future generations\u00a0to continue to\u00a0explore and enjoy the UK\u2019s countryside.<\/p> About the British Horse Society<\/strong><\/p> The British Horse Society is an equine charity that\u00a0promotes\u00a0and advances\u00a0the education,\u00a0training\u00a0and safety of the public in all matters relating to the horse.\u00a0With the support of their volunteers and members, the BHS\u00a0works\u00a0hard\u00a0to make a positive impact on the lives of\u00a0all\u00a0horses and\u00a0those who love them.\u00a0<\/p>What are bridleways?<\/h2>
Who can use bridleways?<\/h2>
What’s the difference between bridleways and footpaths?<\/h2>
How many miles of bridleways do we have in\u00a0the\u00a0UK?<\/h2>
Why have bridleway numbers\u00a0reduced?<\/h2>
Why are bridleways at risk?<\/h2>