Access & Bridleways
One of the important aims of the Club, and BHS, is to check out bridle tracks and rights-of-way. Where appropriate, we encourage opening those that have been closed, and maintaining and more closely defining those that are in existence. This page is devoted to various issues which members may be able to help with.
Itchen Navigation Trail
We are looking for support from those who would like to ride horses and/or cycle along the Itchen Navigation Trail (Towpath) which starts at Cobden Bridge and runs parallel to the Itchen river all the way to Winchester (approx 17kms). The map here shows the area affected, and if you keep your horse within hacking distance, the Trail may well be of interest to you.
Since the owners passed away many years ago, the navigation has fallen into disuse and its status as an existing bridleway has been long forgotten. Hampshire Wildlife has funded a 5 year restoration project for the navigation to be restored as a footpath to the exclusion of horse riders and cyclists. Some of the work will prohibit existing access for those groups.
The Westend Countryside Access Group (WCAG) is a small group of volunteers setup to improve the offroad access in and around this area and would very much appreciate your support. We would love to hear about you too.
If you would like to support us, please email trudy_willcocks@hotmail.com with your support given the following details:-
Where you keep your horses, your name, post code, is your interest for horse riding, cycling, walking or a combination of these?
WCAG have also started a petition, which you can download.