View From Westminster
EDM 55 - BRIDLEWAYS
That this House recognises the value of the horse industry to the economy; further recognises the importance of bridleways; further recognises that they enable both horse riders and walkers to exercise and enjoy the countryside without having to navigate increasingly busy roads; notes that bridleways are not always well maintained or easy to follow; and calls on the Government to support bridleways and recognise their benefits to health and the economy.
Dear Family, Relations, Friends & Fellow Riders
Each new parliamentary session means an Early Day Motion has to be resubmitted. Hence my request to you to approach your MP via e-mail, letter or in person to ask them to once again register their support for EDM55 - Bridleways. Only by united action will we be able to achieve our aims; to enjoy our landscape freely from the back of a horse and to highlight the danger riders, young & old, able-bodied & disabled encounter whilst being forced to ride roads which become more dangerous year on year.
If the Government can 'spare' £77 million to instigate Open Access for the benefit of the ramblers only, is it not time they took the plight of riders and cyclists seriously and enabled the research, upgrade, maintenance and re-establishment of a network decimated by the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949. We are not looking for open access just the reinstatement of a free, comprehensive and integrated network much if which is already in place but to which, for some obscure reason, riders are denied access.
Please approach your MP and ask them to support this motion and pass this on to others who are equally concerned by the continuing loss and curtailment of our bridleway and unclassified road network. To see if your MP has already signed please follow the link below or insert EDM55-Bridleways into your search engine.