Discovering that the bridleway you want to ride on is blocked is a nuisance — and a sure way to put an end to enjoyable hacking with your horse.
If your right of way is obstructed you should first report it to your local authority (council). It is their responsibility to maintain off-road routes to a safe standard.
A quick search on your local authority’s website will tell you how to report the blocked bridleway — it may be an online form to fill in, or an email address or telephone number to use.
Remember that the local authority for the bridleway may not be the same as for your house.
The British Horse Society (BHS) recommends that you report the problem even if you think that someone else already has, as this helps the relevant authority get a clear indication of demand so that they can prioritise resources.
We advise that you provide details of the route and the location on the route where you encountered the problem, as well as a clear description of the issue.
Marking the location on a map, such as Google Maps (or you could use What3Words to pinpoint the exact location — Ed), is useful too.
I would also urge you to take a photo of the obstruction if possible.
It can take up to at least a month for authorities to respond to a report, although some issues will have higher priority if there are safety implications or if they are on a busy route.
You can also contact your local BHS access field officer or volunteer access and bridleway officer, who will be on hand to help.
For support in your local area, you can contact the access team at the BHS via the email address below.
Defining an obstruction
Remember that an obstruction on a bridleway is a hindrance that prevents or impedes its lawful use. This can include barriers like locked gates, overgrown vegetation, or encroaching fences.
Partially blocked paths
Even if only a part of the path is blocked, it is still considered an obstruction, as the public has the right to use the full width of the way. So make sure you report these too.
Non-physical blocks
Non-physical obstructions, such as intimidating notices or threatening animals, also qualify and should be reported in the same way.
You can let the BHS know about any issues by reporting it here.
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