Riding by PermitsBHS Access Cornwall Home Page

YOU MAY BE AWARE THAT THE Association of Bodmin Moor Commons Landowners is proposing that riding anywhere on the moor will be by permit only.

The Forestry Commission have had riding only by permit for some time (cyclists and walkers free), and they are currently consulting on future access arrangements.

WE DO SEEK YOUR VIEWS ON PERMITS - WHETHER OR NOT YOU RIDE BODMIN MOOR

YOUR VIEWS COULD HELP GREATLY TO PRESERVE OUR RIDING

Please complete both sections 1. and 2 of the questionnaire, or just 2. if you don't ride the moor,

YOU CAN COMPLETE IT ANONYMOUSLY IF YOU WISH - Don't Forget to Click Submit at the end.- Scroll Down

 

 
1.  DO YOU RIDE ON BODMIN MOOR?       If No, Goto  2.
a. How Often?         (whichever best describes your riding)
b. Do you Ride or Box to the moor?          
c. Which Area(s) of the moor do you ride?  
d. Since CROW ACT 2000 (Right to Roam) Walkers have free access to all of the moor by right.
    Are there any reasons you can think of why riders 
    should not continue to be able to enjoy the same free access 
    for parts of the moor that have always been freely ridden?                 
    Please specify or give comment:  

e.  Do you think riders are an asset or detrimental to the moor?                     
    Reasons:           

f.  Permits costing £50 per year have been suggested with a lesser charge option for shorter  periods
    or on a per visit basis.  (£25 for shorter periods has been suggested)

    Do you think such a scheme would be workable, enforcable, or policable?                   
    Comments:           


g. Reasons put forward for the scheme are:
  • Control of Equine Tourism (number of horse boxes parking)
  • Prevention of Erosion
  • Income for the benefit of the moor (eg repair erosion) 
    Your comment on these issues would be welcome:

    

h.  What damage/erosion are you aware of on the moor and what is its likely cause?

    

i.  If the scheme were introduced and taking into account all the above factors

     What would you most likely do?

 

2. RIDING BY PERMIT

  • The Forestry Commission currently charges for riding on their land, walkers and cyclists go free.
  • The National Trust seem to generally allow permissive access where appropriate on a free basis although in the past they have charged for permits in some locations.
  • There are one or two locations in Cornwall where special permits are issued by landowners, and charged for, for particular routes.

The British Horse Society believes that riding should generally be free and available to all, as for walkers and cyclists.

Permit rides or toll rides may be appropriate in some circumstances but only where it is not possible to provide new free access for all riders and where there is no right of way recorded or unrecorded’

  • The problem of all such permit schemes is that it goes against casual access, or access only a few times a year.
  • The cost of admistration often appears to exceed any income.
  • If real new facilities are being provided then recouping expenditure by such means could be viable.
  • The question always to ask is why such a scheme is necessary?

a. Do you currently pay for any riding out in the countryside? (other than specific facilities, or events. eg XC courses)

Details

b. Have you had any experience of permit schemes elsewhere?

Details:

c. Even if you do not ride on Bodmin Moor, if the Permit Scheme does go ahead it could have future implications for places you ride.

What would your views be of, in the future, having to separately pay in other locations that are currrently freely ridden.

. Your Views:

 

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