BRIDLE WAYS REPORT

1) BW 232 off Sample Oak Lane.
The fallen tree has been cleared by Surrey County Council Rights of Way.

2) BW 229 Roman Temple area
I have not inspected this myself but I understand that two pine trees across the bridlepath on the way to Mayor House Farm have been cleared.

3) BW 203 Lockhurst Farm Area
Shortly after this BW splits off from BW 205 and in the general area of Dicks Hill Farmhouse and crossing of FP 208, there is a metal grate covering a drain crossing the path. Some of the grating has fractured leaving a horse foot sized hole in grate. This has been reported to Surrey Rights of Way and I have been advised that it will either be repaired or replaced.

4) BW 328/313 Madgehole Lane Area
At the junction of Alderbrook Road I found flytipped waste including glass bottles on the bridleway. It has been reported to the Environment Agency, Waverley Council as well as Surrey Rights of Way.

I have also asked for some vegetation clearance further down the path where it is BW 313 and close to unauthorised gate onto Madgehole Lane. Regarding this gate the removal of it remains a very low priority with Surrey .

ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY FORUM

I attended this on the 27 February and there were some issues of interest to club members.

- James Taylor ROW Officer for Waverley reported that vegetation cutting is taking half his budget which is of concern as it considerably reduces the amount available for surfacing work.

- Footpath 203 in Hascombe is being upgraded to a bridleway.

- BW 381 Wonersh is on the maintenance list for 2008/9.

- BW 509 Albury is also on the maintenance list for 2008/9.

- The BHS representative raised the problem of self closing gates that shut far too fast. (do members know of any examples in our patch?)
Rights of Way Improvement Plan - All suggestions made for improvement to the network are to be made available (the club made quite a few suggestions). Unfortunately Surrey Rights of Way then reported that the ROW Improvement Plan had raised expectations of improvements in the network but that there was no additional staff and finance is very tight.

The BHS raised concerns that ROW Improvement monies were being spent on vegetation clearance and surfacing. The BHS considered such activities to be part of Surreys normal duties and should not be funded by money set aside to improve the rights of way network in terms of connectivity.

Katherine Manson
Bridleways Officer