River crossing on Rowley Lane - SDBG hands over mounting blocks
The following photo gallery shows the mounting blocks donated to the community by our group. These also provide seats with a great view of the improved river crossing! Money for the blocks came partly from that awarded by the Shelford Feast over the past three years where the group has had a stall and helped raise money for village charities etc.
The ford and bridge have been put in place by the Babraham Institute, the former specifically designed for horses and incorporating a route for their use. The route that the ford and bridge are on is known locally as Rowley Lane and is widely used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The Group have applied for a Modification Order to upgrade the existing footpath to a bridleway and ensure that all can continue to use it in the way they are accustomed to; this has been supported by the District Council.
The ford has already proved useful for our local riders! Jane Greatorex, chair of the Shelford and District Bridleways Group, used it to practice water crossings. Just recently, she was successful in achieving a Bronze award in the Exmoor Golden Horseshoe one day 50 mile class Endurance Event - as a result of which she was asked to join the British Development Squad.
Babraham Footpath number 10
Following their successful application to Cambridgeshire County Council for the modification of the Stapleford to Babraham track to a bridleway, SDBG has been involved in an appeal against the County Council's decision not to uphold our application for a modification order for the Babraham Road, Sawston to Rowley Lane track. After reviewing our evidence and landowner comments, the Secretary of State has upheld our Appeal and informed the County Council that they must proceed with the modification order for this track. The legal process is now underway.
The Stapleford to Babraham modification is currently waiting on a public enquiry. Watch this space!
New permissive tracks
New permissive tracks agreed by one of our landowners next to Rowley Lane. Details to follow later in the year.
Thriplow footpath upgrade
The footpath in Thriplow is to be upgraded to a bridleway and will link housing near the A505 to the bridleway between Thriplow and Whittlesford. This will provide a new circular route for those villages.
Application to upgrade Footpaths 2, 7 and 5 (or parts of) between Stapleford, Babraham and Sawston to bridleways
In October we finally got a response from the County Council and were initially pleased that they were recommending what they call routes 1 & 2 (Stapleford to the river and then on to Babraham - known to us as Rowley Lane) be upgraded to bridleway. Great!
However, they said there was insufficient evidence that the track from Sawston up to Rowley Lane was a bridleway and could not therefore recommend that that be upgraded too. We have appealed on several legal grounds and the decision is currently under review by the Director of Highways, Mark Kemp.
In the meantime, we need more User Evidence Forms to be sent to the county council!. 'User Evidence Forms' can be downloaded from the Cambridgeshire County Council website. Please fill these in and send to Jane!
Multi-user tracks in the area
The tracks on Newton Hill and from Stapleford to Magog Down are now completed. The former is in constant use. Two things have arisen from these tracks:
* The track in Newton has led to the County Council working with the parish councils and, funding permitting, they are hoping to put in more track from Little Shelford to the bridleway on Whittlesford Road - watch this space.
* New permissive track in Stapleford, courtesy of the January family. This is a 1.7 km stretch of off-road riding. Group members only and tag must be worn.
Verge maintenance
Little Shelford Parish Council has been awarded a grant to keep the verge along the Whittlesford Road from Little Shelford to the Newton Bridleway cut for pedestrians and horse riders.
Multi-user tracks along Haverhill Road and Newton Hill, and Stapleford to Magog Down
Following an initiative instigated by our group, the County Council have been building multi-user tracks (horse/cycle/pedestrian) along Haverhill Road and Newton Hill. These will a) keep horses and riders off dangerous road sections and b) allow us to plan circular routes. From the track we were able to hack past Newton Church and take advantage of Oliver Walston's permissive tracks. Signs are up explaining the new track and asking horse riders to please walk during the winter months. Tracks to be completed by March 2009.
Work is progressing meanwhile on the track from Stapleford up to Magog Down.
Awards to local landowners and the County Council
SDBG secured BHS awards to local landowners and the County Council after nominating them in recognition of their roles in the upgrades of and repairs to local access routes.
Read more in this article.
Upgrade of Whittlesford-Thriplow footpath
The public footpath between Whittlesford and Thriplow was upgraded to a public bridleway in February 2007.
SDBG are delighted with the creation of this new bridleway!
Thriplow permissive tracks
Over 12km of new permissive tracks have been provided in Thriplow. This permissive bridleway can be accessed from several points in and around the villages of Newton, Thriplow, Foxton and Fowlmere.
Please be respectful when using the bridleways and stick to the official tracks.
Byway bridge repair
Back in 2006 there was significant damage to the railings of the bridge that crosses over the busy M11 along the Little Shelford Byway number 3. Eventually, after much campaigning by SDBG to the underfunded Highways agency, repairs were made. Today, these scenes look much better!
Mary, Hayley and Jane enjoying the new bridleway.
SDBG secured BHS awards to the County Council and Highways Agency for their roles in the repairs.
Webpages written by Vicki at www.halfhalt.net
©2006-2011 Shelford and District Bridleways Group and www.halfhalt.net
Page updated on 7th July 2011 by Vicki
