Ride-UK Press Release - April 2006 BHS Access Cornwall Home Page

FUNDING SECURED TO INVESTIGATE NEW CORNWALL HORSE TRAIL

Cornwall County Council's Landscape & Urban Design Unit and The British Horse Society (BHS) have obtained funding for a feasibility study into the possibility of creating a Cornish horse link to Ride UK - the national BHS network of trails and initiative launched in 2000.

Over the next year, an investigation of the options for a linear route will be assessed by Council officers and BHS volunteers, as well as links to the existing multi-use trail network. A prime aim of the trail development will be to maximize business potential for farm diversification along the trail and strategically link inland villages, livery yards, pubs and farm bed and breakfasts giving a new focus for communities along the route while providing easily phased accessible stopping points for riders. The trail will use existing bridleways and other ridden tracks together with quiet lanes.

Another focus of the project will be to fill in missing links in the Public Path Network, and where possible, provide new sections of bridleway to offer a safe route with as much off-road riding as possible. As well as providing a linear route, the project will identify spur routes to connect to the trail together with local circular rides off the trail.

The project is at an early stage, however, the aim is to plan and cost the route to enable potential funding sources to be identified and a robust bid prepared.

Adam Paynter, the Cornwall Portfolio holder for Environment and Heritage said, 'The County Council is one of only a few Councils in England who have sought to explore the potential for a trail with an emphasis on equestrian use and needs. It's great to see Cornwall taking a lead in developing trails for all users and I hope the feasibility study leads to a successful bid.'

Stephanie Wheeler, Regional BHS Officer said, 'With its outstanding scenery and coastline, Cornwall deserves to be a much favoured destination for horseriders. The demand for long-distance riding routes is growing all the time, and statistics from the Mary Townley Loop (part of the Pennine Bridleway) show how valuable such a route can be to the local economy.'