This 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 impact on the rural economy, public
money should benefit all users, health and well being, local and national Planning Policies. Should Over Parish
Council require further details or information, either Swavesey Bridleways Association or the British Horse
Society would be pleased to answer questions or make a presentation with a view to working with the PC to
improve countryside access.
The BHS is very pleased to see the inclusion of equestrians in the Over VDG and supports all the ideas below
for improving the bridleway network, creating new bridleways and upgrading footpaths to bridleway status:
'* Improve the network of bridleways, foot and cycle paths to destinations outside the village,
including recreational routes into the wider landscape.
* Improve and extend the green network, a valued means of moving through the village away from
vehicular routes.
* Creating a bridleway link across the River Great Ouse by re‐using the current gravel extraction
bridge at Brownshill Staunch.
* Upgrade an existing footpath to a bridleway connecting Over to Swavesey. This could follow the
River Great Ouse bank from Swavesey and connect into Over along the Swavesey Drain or Chain
Road. Alternatively it could follow the path from New Road by the historic orchard to the south of
Over towards Swavesey.
8.3 New and improved footpaths, cyclepaths and bridleways leading out of Over should be designed
as extensions of the green network, where green lanes free of cars connect green open spaces and
public amenity spaces.
7.3 A new bridleway to Willingham, either along Willingham Road or past the Over Sewage Works.'
However some of the points in the plan do not mention the inclusion of equestrians and this needs to be
corrected. There is no reason not to include equestrians in future access, for instance in point 7 there is no
mention of equestrian inclusion in the routes to the Guided Busway, and East towards Willingham. Nor is there
any mention of equestrians in the routes along Swavesey Drain.
The Guided busway route is a bridleway and includes horses. Any paths connecting to the Guided busway must
include equestrians. There is also a requirement for a Non motorised User route between Over and
Willingham, which should include all users ie pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
'7 Key foot, cycle and bridleway connections outside the village are lacking, including routes to the
guided busway and adjacent cycle route and east towards Willingham. The footpaths along the
Swavesey Drain are popular recreational routes but the route could be more extensive.'
There is also no mention of equestrian access in point 7.2.
'7.2 New development should be well connected to Over's existing network of public footpaths and
cycle paths and seek opportunities to provide additional public pedestrian and cycle routes that are
separate from streets and roads.'
Point 7.3 does mention a new bridleway to Willingham, however there is no mention of equestrian inclusion in
the first point regarding new routes to the guided busway route. The Guided busway route is a bridleway and
includes horses. It is not a cycle route. Any paths connecting to the Guided busway must include equestrians.
'7.3 * New foot and cycle routes to the guided busway cycle route, particularly along Longstanton
Road. * A new bridleway to Willingham, either along Willingham Road or past the Over Sewage
Works.'
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/local‐transportplan
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.