Report - Section 6.12

6.12 The local network

Traditionally, men and animals came from the downs into the High Weald in the late summer (trans-humance), creating radial lanes (droves) that survive with the ridge-top routes as the road system and Rights of Way. There is also a pattern of green lanes crossing valleys with steep sides, river crossings with fords or bridges, following the old iron industry pattern²³. (Definitive lines would not have been necessary in the past because when one route became worn down or too muddy, a new line was cut above or to one side. Vestiges of these can still be seen.)

However, many old green lanes are now closed/ destroyed. What is left is a remnant of the old pattern, though if all paths were open and former green lanes reclaimed, the network might be more comprehensive. There is no open access; much of the landscape is wooded without access.

The bridleway network in the High Weald area suffers a similar range of problems to the rest of the country:

Large number of narrow lanes with ditches;
Deeply sunken old drove roads;
Green lanes gradually ripped up in fields or tarmaced over;
Verges eroded by increasing size and speed of vehicles;
Routes on private estates closed and with the parcelling up of estates, boundaries are made more secure;
Surviving bridleways in the area are very fragmented, short in length and sometimes serving no clear function;
A significant number of paths are obstructed: some RUPPs are still closed after 20 years awaiting re-classification;
There are an average of four gates per path, some of which riders are unable to open and close satisfactorily whilst mounted.

East Sussex is poorly provided with definitive bridleways in comparison with neighbouring counties.

Table 6.9: Rights-of-way in the South East

	East Sussex	% of total	West Sussex	Kent
Definitive footpaths	2,451	73%	2,759	2,129
Definitive bridleways	713	21%	1,159	1,003
Definitive RUPPS	146	4%	132	134
Definitive Byways open to all traffic	56	2%	11	Nil

ESCC Milestones statement and progress report 2001

In East Sussex, about 40% of the existing bridleway network lies in the proposed South Downs National Park area. It is estimated that perhaps another 10% falls within Ashdown Forest and outside the Leaderplus area. This leaves 50% of the network ie 457 km, in the Leaderplus area. (This equates to 1 farm of approx.250 acres as total public access.)

The network in the South Downs is largely open, and useable all year round due to the durable and free draining chalk/flint subsoil. Routes are of reasonable length and well connected. In the High Weald, however, the terrain is wet clay that is prone to flooding and erosion, severely restricting use in the winter months. Investment in good surfacing could improve the position for all users. The National Trust offers some good examples of best practice that need exploring.

In November 2001, ESCC‘s Milestones report stated that £2.7million was needed to meet its target for RoWs. There are over 70 bridlepaths in East Sussex in need of major surfacing work estimated to cost £1.35 million. Therefore 50% of the finance needs to be spent on 27% of the network. "Estimates based on current resources show that the maintenance target will never be achieved. This represents a deteriorating position."²⁴

Activity to clear and maintain routes has been erratic, provided by a combination of the Rights of Way Team, contractors, and volunteers. Historically, the HWBG has been involved in voluntary clearance, sometimes with other groups such as BTCV, 4- wheel drive groups and the probation service. Enthusiasm has waned as their efforts were not sustained or supported by other activity. However, a scheme is currently being tackled at Wadhurst Lane by the 4-Wheel Drive Group and HWBG.

6.12.1 Road and Traffic Issues

The South East has had the highest number of horse-rider casualties as a result of road accidents of all regions for the last three years. East Sussex ranks 7th amongst non-metropolitan counties for accidents²⁵. Some very busy main roads require horse crossing points and bridges.

The HWBG survey gives some useful information about local riders’ experience of access to safe off-road riding in the High Weald. Of 77 respondents, 5 were not road users. Non-road users felt that the roads were too dangerous to ride. The remaining 72 respondents were road users. Reasons given for using the roads were:

to access bridleways (22);
lack of alternatives (19); and
poor bridleways (6).

53 of the 77 respondents reported that they had been involved in an accident or a near miss involving a horse on the highway.

Planned improvements include a bridge over the A22 at Polegate; an access route and crossing under negotiation over the A259 at Glyne Gap; and a new link agreed between Brightling and Cackle Street avoiding the B2096. Consultation on new road crossings used by horse-riders is essential eg Polegate crossing of A22 where the design demands dismounting and there is no visibility to the far side).

Mayfield is trialling a Village Quiet Lanes Project but there are 13 Quiet Road Initiative projects on hold waiting to be implemented in the County (HWBG).

6.12.2 Alternative means of access
Community circuit projects offer a potential source of additional funding eg the Rotherfield Community Tourism Project has farmers waiting to provide equestrian tourism when the infrastructure is in place. Other community circuits include:

Battle Community Circuit;
Hailsham Community Circuit;
Jubilee Ride; (East Sussex was unable to run its Jubilee Ride in 2002 due to lack of funds to repair two segments of the 15 mile route.);
Heathfield/Mayfield Partnership; and High Weald Route.

All of these are being worked on as examples of sustainable transport, leisure routes that will provide improved resources for horse-riders, walkers etc and create jobs through construction and potential tourism spin-off.

In September 2001, five toll rides were operated by South East Toll Rides/TROT in East Sussex. Two of these serve the Leaderplus area: E2 Hailsham and E10 Heathfield. Two have closed in East Sussex due to changes in land ownership and higher grant aid through Countryside Stewardship²⁶.

A total of 20 Forest Enterprise Rides are operated by TROT on behalf of the Forestry Commission: five of these rides (numbers 5,7,11,12,15,16,20) lie in the Leaderplus area, four permit areas in the Leaderplus area and two in the rest of East Sussex.

Under the Countryside Stewardship scheme, equine access is tied to ‘whole farm’ schemes, unlike TROT schemes (see Appendix I). The DEFRA website lists 5 sites out of a possible 54 in East Sussex with agri-environment schemes that offer public access to riders. They are:

Hewenstreet Circuit near South Chailey;
Possingworth and Brownings Farm near Uckfield (taken over from TROT);
Barons Grange and Moat Farm near Iden;
Gate Court Canter near Newenden (circuit only);
Bartley Mill near Bells Yew Green (avoiding main road).

Several long distance endurance routes in the South East have recently been withdrawn because of difficulties over terrain eg Rudgewick, Hickstead, Chichester and Farnham. Endurance competitions can be a significant player in equestrian tourism and is fast growing in popularity.

²³ Routes often linked corn and watermills.
²⁴ Milestones report ESCC 2001
²⁵ Department for Transport, Transport Statistics, Road Accidents Great Britain: 2001
The Casualty Report, Rate per licensed vehicle, 2001
26 Appendix I provides a comparative summary of the TROT and Countryside Stewardship schemes.

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