Equestrians are most concerned at the implications for the future of the safe off road riding in our forests in England, if the Government proceeds with its proposals to sell off the public forest estate in England without taking steps to secure equestrian access in them before any sale takes place.

.Access for walkers is protected by section 16 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROWA), such protection is not currently afforded to equestrians and cyclists. However the provision under this act does not mean any special faciilities for access need to be provided even for walkers.

Prior to this proposed sell-off the BHS was campaigning for better access to our forests. Past evidence shows that even where land is sold to other bodies equestrians are often denied access that they have enjoyed for years

Examples are:-

" Tudeley Woods in Kent, when the RSPB took these over their first action was to put up "no horses" signs.

" When the National Trust took over commons with statutory rights for horse riders, they argued that their own legislation overruled the previous statutory rights and enabled them to restrict horse riding.

" When the City of London Corporation bought land near the Surrey border, it stopped access by horse riders, saying it was incompatible with its conservation objectives.

" Blean Woods Kent - the Kent Wildlife Trust has withdrawn a toll ride for horse riders in a large part of its woods at Blean. Pressed by Kent County Council to agree to dedicate a public bridleway or a licensed permissive bridleway to take a national cycle route across its Blean woods, the Trust refused, citing conservation reasons (though the track in question is a wide road with a firm surface) and the access it already provides on foot.

There is no good reason why the Forestry Commission could not secure access for equestrians across the freehold forestry estate under section 16 CROWA. The argument that it might devalue the value of the landholding does not hold water as such a dedication has already been made in respect of providing access for walkers across the freehold forestry estate in England.

What can you do?

1. Please respond to the government's formal consultation please see http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/index.htm

2, Please write to your MP telling him your concerns and asking him for his views on the isssue.

3. Also sign e-petition on http://38degrees.org.uk/