Taunton Deane Bridleways Association

30/01/2025

Note the changes to parking at Great wood.

We’re trying to ascertain the expected arrangements for horse riders - so if anyone knows please share here!

From today we have a new parking system at Great Wood. Our new system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and will allow us to operate more efficiently.

You’ll still pay for your parking when you arrive, but you don’t need to display a ticket anymore as your vehicle registration will be captured on your way in and out of the car park. The machines can accept payment by card or contactless, no need for apps or phone signal.

Forestry England members, please make sure your vehicle registrations are up to date in your online account as we aren’t checking your window sticker anymore https://boxoffice.forestryengland.uk/ClientRequiredFallback.aspx?view=Login&next=~%2fCrmDetails.aspx

The money from your car parking charge is essential for us to maintain visitor facilities, such as walking, toilets, and the car park. Thank you for your ongoing support

30/01/2025

Something to be mindful of if riding on the Quantocks

29/01/2025

*Riders near to Cothelstone*

Wind Down Woods
We are happy to announce that Wind Down Woods is now officially re-open!

The current storms and wet weather have made the clear-up operations challenging. Please note that there are still some fallen trees across some of the smaller tracks, which we will endeavour to clear when we can. For now, enjoy your local woodland once again!

29/01/2025

Please save the date for this year's BHS Dorset Pleasure Ride.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year

What a rather unfriendly start to 2025!

We’re sure today’s weather will bring down yet more trees and with that interuptions to the riding network and with that more for us to do behind the scenes.

If you would like to support the Association in the work we do then please consider our annual membership which is just £10 for the year and allows us to fund works to routes which may not attract other funding or fall out of the scope of maintenance of the authorities due to its classification.

26/12/2024

More fantastic news

⛔BREAKING NEWS ⛔

The British Horse Society welcomes UK Government’s decision to abolish deadline to save vital off-road routes in England, after more than six years of lobbying for change.

We are hugely relieved to learn that the UK Government has today announced its decision to repeal the 2031 Cut-Off date. This means that thousands of rights of way across the UK will no longer vanish in seven years’ time, helping more people in the future to access the great outdoors and all the benefits this brings.

Mark Weston, Director of Access at The British Horse Society says: “Recent years have illustrated just how vital off-road access is for the safety, health and wellbeing of horse riders and carriage drivers, as well as walkers and cyclists.

The government’s intention to repeal the 2031 cut-off date is a huge step. Not only does it mean that our routes can be protected for future generations to enjoy and treasure, but it is also very important for the safety of the general public.”

18/12/2024

WIND DOWN WOODS

Due to multiple wind blown trees across tracks at Wind Down following storm Darragh, we are now unable to open the woodland up before Christmas. We endeavour to get it open again in the new year.

Thank you for your patience.

13/12/2024

This is a really important and exciting development.

New partnership with Sustrans — improving equestrian safety 💪🏻

🐎We are delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding with Sustrans, the charity that works to improve access, health and environment through walking, wheeling and cycling, and to be working with them to make sure that their Paths for Everyone can be enjoyed safely by equestrians.

💚Our partnership includes pursuing opportunities that promote and improve multi-modal use of the National Cycle Network, managing interactions between users of the Network and making sure that routes are accessible to everyone.

😊This partnership is extremely important in making sure that equestrians can have a positive and safe experience when using routes along the Network.

08/12/2024

Please feel free to add any blocked, or dangerous routes to this post for local riders to note. Also, if anyone has managed to unblock a route please also share.

06/12/2024

**Quantock Riders**

⚠Advance Warning – site closure⚠

Great Wood will be closed from tomorrow afternoon (December 6) due the amber weather warning for extremely strong gusts forecast.

Please do not attempt to enter the woods. The forest will re-open on Tuesday after we have completed safety checks.

Updates will follow.

06/12/2024

We’ve pinned the link to reporting blocked routes to the top of the page as we head into Storm Darrah this weekend.

Please let us know if there are any concerns or anyone needs any advice over the next few days.

See you on the other side.

24/11/2024

Just a reminder on how to report blocked routes.

We’re expecting higher than average reports due to Storm Burt.

The local authorities resources will be stretched to beyond breaking point after this weekend.

Where local routes can be cleared without risk it may be easier to arrange with other local users to do this.

We’re happy to speak to any members who have a concern about a blocked route.

17/09/2024

Can we have a show of hands of riders who are located Creech st Michael, Monkton Heathfield way please.

We’re in discussions with the BHS access team about this Pegasus crossing which was installed.

We’re interested to know how many people use it, and as part of which routes.

15/09/2024