Bridleway improvement helps Devon win prestigious awards - The Blackdown Hills
Bridleway improvement helps Devon win prestigious awards
( Last Updated: 12-11-2010 )
THE completion of a key link in the horse riding network in the Blackdown Hills has helped Devon County Council win two prestigious British Horse Society Awards.
Bridleway 41 near Kentisbeare has been given a new surface over a 2km stretch, making it much more accessible for walkers and horse riders. The improvements by Devon County Council have been carried out in partnership with the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The scheme is one of many across Devon which have resulted in the County Council winning the British Horse Society's Safety Award, a community award for contributions to promoting community road safety, and the Access Award, for the Local Authority most active in opening up equestrian routes. Devon will receive the awards later this month.
The Kentisbeare route forms part of the Blackdown Hills circuits developed by local volunteer John Presgrave and delivered by Devon County Council using existing bridleways and green lanes.
The path is also part of an important new long distance horse riding route being developed across Mid and East Devon with funding from the Investing in Devon programme, generated from the proceeds of the County Council's sale of Exeter Airport. This will link with the Wessex Ridgeway in Dorset and the Herepath Trail in the Blackdown Hills AONB at Castle Neroche. The aim of the project is to improve the network for locals and visitors which will benefit the local economy as well as people's health and wellbeing.
Councillor Philip Sanders, Chairman of Devon County Council's Public Rights of Way Committee, said: "This bridleway has always been popular with walkers despite being muddy almost year round, so this new surface will be a great improvement for walkers and horse riders, and it's pleasing that this scheme and others have been recognised by the British Horse Society.
"We are of course extremely grateful for the co-operation of all the landowners involved including Dave Rickwood of the Woodland Trust, Simon Brent of Fountains, and local landowner Dennis Hayward in helping us making this link possible."
Councillor John Berry, Devon County Councillor for Cullompton Rural and member of the AONB management group, said: "The completion of this work is great news for the hundreds of people who use this bridleway. The route offers amazing views, wildlife, industrial history from mining operations and nearby parking and campsite. With the addition of these improvements I'm sure it will appeal to even more walkers and horse riders, and it is a great advantage that it also links to so many other routes."
Councillor Sanders will be presented with the awards from the British Horse Society at a ceremony in London on Thursday 18 November.
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