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NEWS
What is Bolton Bridleways Association?
Committee Meetings are held at The Blundell Arms, Chorley Old Road starting at 8.30pm.All members welcome to attend. Next meeting is April 2010
We hope that you understand our reasons for trying to improve and maintain everybody's historical rights to free access to the countryside and bridleways. Any assistance that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
If you ride in Bolton you will know we have a fairly good concessionary bridleway network. THIS IS NOT BY CHANCE! The Association has fought long and hard for many of the routes in the borough. We were founded by the one time ranger for Smithills, Richard Masters, who realised how important off road routes were and liased with the council to share his vision, before creating the association as we know it and restoring all the routes in Smithills. These routes are only concessionary so who will fight for their upkeep once the association has gone?
Councils will have less money to spend on rights of way in the future so to ensure you have a voice in the future, send your membership NOW.
The problem gate at Hampsons Farm in Smithills has been brought to our attention and should shortly be repaired or removed. We will update the site when work is completed.
Budget cuts will mean that routes will become poorly maintained by the council and bridleways fall out of use. In order to have a voice, make sure you renew your membership. We have a good relationship with Bolton Council so if you want a voice, renew now!
WELCOME
This year we are again planning to sponsor Matchmoor Riding Centre's Annual Show.
You don't need your own pony or horse to join the Association, don't forget bridleways are for many users, not just horses.
We are currently having a few problems with Paypal so please email us if you wish to join the association.
PLEASE REMEMBER accident rates are the same in summer and winter, keep wearing your fluorescents and be seen on the road.
BE SAFE, BE SEEN
We are still offering a £10 lifetime membership. If you want to take advantage of this offer please contact us or post your form with a cheque.
Our Aims
At B.B.A. we aim to improve the safety of all horse riders. We are attempting to maintain access to all historical bridleways whilst also arranging for the improvement of bridleways that have fallen into disrepair. We also intend to prevent closures of bridleways and will attempt to upgrade some suitable designated footpaths to allow access to horse riders and carriage drivers.
We feel that it is important for horse riders to have access to safe ‘off the road’ riding in order to minimize the risks involved in hacking the horse out.
Today’s roads are becoming more congested and dangerous. We do not want our animals and children to be exposed to unnecessary dangers whilst enjoying their riding nor do we want drivers to become annoyed and impatient when having to pass horses on the road. Impatient motorists and frightened animals are a recipe for accidents, accidents that unfortunately could easily be fatal.
We also aim to inform horse owners and riders of the importance of being highly visible when being forced to share the roads therefore road safety information is available in the road safety folder within this web page.
Our main aim is to protect access to, and improve the quality of ‘off road’ riding wherever possible therefore protecting our rights to access to the countryside.
The rights of way team at Bolton Council have now sorted out the gate at Arcon in Wallsuches, making it easy to pass through and taking riders off the very busy (especially at weekends) Chorley Old Road. Riders from Smithills, Heaton and Westhoughton can now get from Matchmoor/ New Chapel Lane to Rivington without being on a major road. Thanks to David and the team at the council for making this possible.
ANOTHER REASON TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GROUP!!
