RIDER RIGHTS
Says Naomi Smith
It is all too possible to round a corner on horseback
and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in
a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of
time ........... read more
That New Sunderland bridleway
"Council liable for compensation for unforeseen accidents"
Says Tony Barnett
The ex railway lane has been adopted and dedicated as a bridleway by the councils highways, this statement is from the rights of way/highway officer Tim Ducker, this makes them liable for compensation for unforeseen accidents subject to the "invite" to access by the public.
The surface has been altered by removing the lines and crusher-run hard stone into a smooth surface, which would be quite normal for the railway to complete de-requisition.
There is no information as of yet if the council, on taking over/adopting the lane/track, made up the access way to the state in which it is now, but, if assurances have been made to the public that the new bridle path is safe to use and have invited use, then they will be liable, this is the mistake councils and other upstarts make.
I am now waiting for the authorities to get back, but it is clear to see, the responsibility is the council's.
Says Linda Wright
We moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS
map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property.
Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are
usable ........... read more