Mid Sussex Area Bridleways Group

On 10^th March 2025 West Sussex County Council made the order to upgrade the following:

1. The addition of a bridleway commencing at bridleway (grid ref: 523481,116043) and proceeding in an easterly direction 460 metres ( grid ref: 523934, 116004) to Blackstone Lane with a minimum width of 5 metres
2. The upgrade to a bridleway of a section of footpath 2540 from its commencement on Furners Lane (grid ref: 521739,116150) to where the path leaves Furners Lane (grid ref: 523481,116043) with a minimum width of 4 metres.

Any representations or objections relating to the order must be made in writing to the Director of Law and Assurance, County Hall, West Sussex , PR19 1RQ or email  legal.services@westsussex.gov.uk   quoting the ref: CC803.15670, no later than 28^th April 2025, and please state the grounds of which it is made. Please be aware that any representations or objections will be held on file and open to the public, but personal details will be omitted upon request.

Comments in support could include:

• Known as the ancient highway to Hurstpierpoint.
• The need for a safe rout to Henfield which would connect communities.
• Opening access to countryside through riding and cycling.
• Suitable access for horses, walkers and cyclists and their connection to various clubs creating social and community connections.

Thank you.

This is what Mary Parker had to say recently. Please navigate to our Past Achievements page under the heading About Us , scroll to the bottom of the page to read about some of ‘Our Big Wins 1980 – 2000’.

Following upon the Public Inquiry in September the Inspector decided that the Old Toll Road, Hayes Lane and the path joining the byway to Isfield should be upgraded from footpath to enable horse riders and cyclists to use them. Because one short stretch would also allow vehicle to pass, ESCC objected. There is now to be a period for written submissions to PINS the government body that deals with access to the countryside.

The Dead Slow campaign is a project that Alan Hiscox is now heading up. It is not known as widely as it should be to make a difference and there are many unidentified “Hot Spots”, which Alan invites our members to nominate for Dead Slow signage and support.

For example: narrow country lanes with no speed restrictions, fast roads with blind corners, those constantly in use by horse riders, cyclists, children and dog walkers who are all in danger of being frightened or hurt by reckless drivers unconcerned about other users’ needs or safety. Please feel free to contact him if you want to nominate a road you think would qualify.

Alan’s contact details are as follows: alan.hiscox@bhs.org.uk but he emphasises that you should report incidents, close passes, near misses, on the BHS ‘Horse I’ App  (free to download) or on the website : https://www.bhs.org.uk/go-riding-and-learn/record-an-incident/

He advises to get support from the local parish council first and then he would become involved. If possible, he would even come and visit the road with the riders.

Alan is also interested in coordinating some ‘Safe Pass Checks’, similar to the one that was carried out in 2021. Follow this link for the full story: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/drivers-educated-by-police-in-attempt-to-reduce-horse-related-road-deaths-763558 . However, Alan needs to borrow a traffic proof horse and some members of the police.

A proposal for a route, partly over an existing footpath, which would link Iford and Swanborough.  You can see the full proposal at – https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=dates&keyVal=R7EMH6TUIDO00

The proposal would form a link between the new bridleway between Lewes and Iford, linking it to the bridleway to the downs and to the permissive route which leads to the Egrets Way at Springbarn Farm.  So it is a very important link.

There is just one problem.  It is designated as a cycleway, just like the permissive route which runs from Swanborough to Springbarn Farm.  This means that, as proposed, it would signposted for walkers and cyclists.

Oddly, there is a reference to equestrians using the crossing of the C7 road. This crossing is part of the current permissive cycleway, which suggests that the landowner may be open to equestrian use.

I suggest that as many people as possible should write in, pointing out that equestrian groups have just contributed money to the increase in bridleways in the area and that the route should be available to equestrians.

The deadline for comments is April 1.

Chris Smith