Maureen Comber wrote to Andy Smith, Head of Countryside, Hampshire County Council

"Four more signs have been erected on all the bridleways at the eastern edge of the common adjacent to the B3004. The one at the top of the hill faces directly the narrow gap in the bank through which one enters the common from that side.

As I pointed out before some horses would be intimidated by it and in this particular location could be messing about on the road because inhibited from accessing the bridleway because of the position of the sign.

Please could you send me the consent from the Secretary of State for the erection of these signs which are on common land and therefore illegal. Natural England do not have the power to authorize works on common land I believe.

Again why have I not been consulted both as a local resident and the District Access Officer for the BHS? Having requested this below I can only suppose that it is an act of provocation.

In addition these signs are illegal as they are asking the rider to keep to the bridleways when we know that Broxhead is a public common accessible for 'air and exercise'. I would ask you to send me what evidence you have if this is not the case? Neither Natural England or HCC have jurisdictions on commons even if they own it which they do not. HCC is only responsible for keeping the registers up to date and making them available to the public.

Finally where is the money coming from to pay for these signs? Would the money not be better spent in these straightened times to maintain the few bridleways HCC are responsible for?

Local people and the commoners have been accessing Broxhead Common for centuries, if they need any of the information contained on the sign it could be given on something a fraction of that size don't you think? Please will you put something up at this point on the lay by to prevent people parking their cars across the gap as it obstructs the bridleway?