The response is based solely on the VDG. there are numerous, well documented reasons why equestrian access should be included in protecting and improving access including the impact on rural economy, public money should benefit all users, health and wellbeing, local and national planning policies. Should the Parish Council require further details or info, the BHS would be pleased to answer questions or make a presentation with a view to working with the PC to improve countryside access.

Protect, enhance and grow existing footpath, bridleway and cycle connections across the village and improve roadside accessibility.
Ensure the relationship with the new settlements at BA is positive and allows good off-roads connections whilst maintaining distinct settlements.
Developments adjoining existing pathways and bridle ways should seek tom make new connections of similar quality, or improve the existing routes to reinforce and extend the existing network.

However, later in Sec3;
'pedestrian, bridle and cycle connections to neighbouring settlements and to Cambridge. Proposals include an extension of the Cambridge/Hardwick cycle path to reach Caldecote and a new off-road cycle connections to Toft and Cambourne.

This path should be non motorised user path, suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. unless there is a good reason not to include them.

There is no mention of horse riders. this Is unacceptable and horse riders should be included in plans. The development at BA is fully supportive of equestrians and there are proposals to include a perimeter bridle way in its plans. Equestrian access on this site is also required by SC local plan. it is therefore essential that the Caldecote VDG includes equestrians in its plans.

The BHS is pleased to see and supports the following statements in the Caldecote VDG Section 3:

'Protect, enhance and grow existing footpath, bridleway and cycle connections across the village, and improve roadside accessibility'.
'Ensure that the relationship with the new settlement at Bourn Airfield is positive and allows good off‐road connections whilst maintaining distinct settlements.'

Section 5.1:
Developments adjoining existing paths and bridleways should seek to make new connections of similar quality, or improve existing routes, to reinforce and extend the existing network.'
However later in Section 3 the VDG mentions:
'Pedestrian, bridle and cycle connections to neighbouring settlements and to Cambridge. Proposals include an extension of the Cambridge/Hardwick cyclepath to reach Caldecote, and new off‐road cycle connections to Toft and to Cambourne.'


This path should be a Non‐Motorised User path suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and should also include horse riders, unless there is a good reason not to include them.
Section 5.5 mentions 'Good quality pedestrian and cyclist connections to the planned Major Development at Bourn Airfield are important'.

However, there is no mention of horse riders. This is unacceptable and horse riders should be included in the plans. The Development at Bourn airfield is fully supportive of equestrians and there are proposals to include a perimeter bridleway and links to existing bridleways in its plans.
Equestrian access on this site is also required by the South Cambs Local Plan. It is therefore essential that the Caldecote VDG also includes equestrians in its plans.
As well as pedestrians and cyclists, there are many equestrians in Caldecote. There is also a local West Cambridge Bridleways Group. The British Horse Society (BHS), Bridleway Group and local horse riders should be consulted regarding the improvement of access to PROW and how this could be achieved. For instance upgrading public footpaths to Bridleways would benefit cyclists and horse
riders and help to link up the fragmented network of Bridleways. Consideration should also be give to the creation of new Bridleways and Restricted Byways.
In the parish of Caldecote are 11 PROW, of which only 4 are bridleways, with the rest being footpaths. The distance covered by these PROW is over 7km, of which 3.75km are bridleways and therefore available to cyclists and horse riders. The BHS have identified 4 paths, which, if upgraded to bridleways or restricted byways, would provide essential links to other villages and help to join up the fragmented bridleway network.

The footpaths which could be considered for upgrading are:
Footpath 38/9 running from bridleway 38/3.
Creation of a new bridleway from FP 38/9 to Highfields Road, which would link up to the new development at Bourn Airfield.
The upgrade of these footpaths to bridleways would enable better, safer, off‐road connections to neighbouring villages for horse riders and cyclists. This should be considered as part of any development proposals in the future. It should also form part of a 'wish list'.

Cambridgeshire County Council has a Local Transport Policy (LTP), which sets out their transport objectives, policies and strategy for the county. A sister document of the LTP is the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). The County Council updated its ROWIP in 2016 in line with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. You may wish to consult this document when drafting policies dealing with Non‐Motorised Users (NMU) and the Public Rights of Way network.
https://cambridgeshire.gv.uk/residents/travel‐road‐and‐parking/transport‐plans‐and‐policies/localtransport‐plan

Particular interest should be given to Policies S0A1 'Making the Countryside More Accessible', S0A2 'A Safer Activity', S0A3 '57,000 New homes', S0A4 'Knowing what's out there', S0A5 'Filling in the Gaps', and S0A8 'A Better Countryside Environment'- all of which include the need for access for equestrians.