Horse riders angry over closure of bridleway

Sarah Evans Webster says we like to use this route to keep safe off the roads

Horse riders have been left furious after a public road and bridleway - one of the few routes that drivers don't use - was closed without warning.

Fencing and a "Keep out - private land" sign appeared five weeks ago, blocking the bridleway through Flanders Ford, between Baschurch and Adcote, Shropshire.

Sarah Evans-Webster said she had documentation showing that the route was an unclassified public county road.

But the landowner, who did not want to be named, said the route was part of their garden and not an unclassified county road, adding the matter was in the hands of their lawyer. Shropshire Council said it was investigating.

The route is marked as a public right of way, but a fence and sign have been placed across it

Two post and rail fences were put up at the end of May, blocking the route from Bunny Lane to the River Perry. Branches also cover the path. Riders said it was one of the few in the area riders feel safe to use away from vehicles.

It is a double-blow to horse riders and walkers, after previously losing another route over the Perry, a few hundred metres away at Adcote Mill, where a bridge collapsed 11 years ago.

Legal arguments have led to that route being shut for more than a decade.

Ms Evans-Webster, who is campaigning to get the bridleway reopened, said she was recently nearly hit by a car after being forced to use a road she would not normally have to.

The landowner said there was no evidence the route was an unclassified road, and the disturbance of the river by the horses has led to the spread of invasive plants, such as Himalayan balsam.

Campaigners point to old maps showing the route over the River Perry

The bridleway is part of a long distance route called the Humphrey Kynaston Way, which is publicised by Shropshire Council.

Access campaigner Zia Robins said: "The route is shown as an unclassified county road on Shropshire Council's 1929 Handover Map of Highways, from Baschurch to Nibbs Heath".

Coffin route

Jane Barker, appointed MBE for her work with Riding for the Disabled, said she had ridden on it for the last 40 years and "can't believe the mentality" of blocking it.

"I am absolutely up in arms about it," she said.

Lesley Benyon, chair of Shrewsbury and District Riding Club, said that, in the last 10 years riding on the roads has become "untenable", adding that when she goes out on her horse she "takes her life in her own hands".

Another rider, who didn't want to be named, said it was an old coffin route linking Ensdon to Baschurch.

She said: "I have rights of way on my land, I can't just close them if I feel like it… everyone here seems to think they're above the law."