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COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP
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TOLL-ROUTES
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Run by DEFRA and publicly funded
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Run by small group of volunteers and paid individuals. Charitable Trust
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No equestrian experience
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Run by horse-riders for horse-riders as independent body
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Access routes for general public. Free to users.
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Toll Routes for members who pay. Annual or periodic subscriptions.
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Equine access is part of whole farm scheme - no separate routes for horses.
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Routes set up for horse-riding only. No walkers, cyclists, dogs.
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Routes need to link to existing public bridleways.
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Toll Routes can link to other bridle-bridleways, forest permit areas or stand-alone.
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Stewardship schemes set by DEFRA and have 10 year tenure. Gives security of access but can cause penalties if broken.
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Landowner can set period, usually an annual contract. Can create uncertainty especially where several landowners are co-operating.
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Equine access to be based on perceived need.
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Schemes have to be supported by sufficient membership to make it worthwhile for farmers. Different levels of membership for variety of different needs.
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Grants paid at fixed rate for routes plus gates and fencing if agreed as part of farm plan.
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Funds have to be raised from subs or other means to pay for improvements.
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No stewarding of routes or riders; open to all.
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System of local agents who monitor routes. Riders steward routes to prevent abuse. Hatbands used as markers.
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No double incomes from headlands. Can Increase width to accommodate both.
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No double incomes from headlands if arable subsidy.
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Legal agreement set up by DEFRA. Onus on landowner to create "safe route" and have public liability to cover all eventualities. Landowners backing out of schemes.
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Legal agreement designed by NFU. Landowners and riders have to have public liability insurance. Riders have to sign disclaimer and show insurance. Equal responsibility for everyone.
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Routes shown on DEFRA website. No other published information.
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TROT provides complete service with published handbook of routes, maps, agents, accommodation providers etc.
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Routes open throughout year but can be changed for environmental reasons.
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Routes can be shut on specified dates or closed if good reason.
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Farmers reluctant to open routes next to public routes where unable to restrict unauthorized access.
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Links can be short or long. Ideally suited to short links or single routes between public paths unless a proper partnership can be set up with TROT.
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Longer routes work better and attract more members.
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TROT also administers Forest Permits in the South East.
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Additional funding needed to secure schemes and protect routes. No question of routes becoming public bridleway.
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