Tarmac has teamed up with the British Horse Society (BHS) to ensure that a local bridleway is fit for future riders and horses.
The project starts this month and, with the help of a £50,000 grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, will enable essential maintenance work to take place on bridleway 504 – from Binsted to Frith End, Hampshire.
Owing to inadequate drainage, the route has deteriorated over time and become unusable by riders, walkers and cyclists. The work, which is due for completion in July, will re-connect more than 50 miles of the route – including Shipwright’s Way and Alice Holt Forest – and ensure it is safe for users.
Tracy Casstles, director of fundraising, BHS, said: “The partnership formed here to restore this unsafe route highlights the importance of our access efforts and how the work benefits many people in the local community. We’re delighted that this work will allow groups such as equestrians, cyclists and walkers access to safe off-road access opportunities.”
Emma Smith, community engagement manager at Tarmac, said: “It’s great that we have been able to support the British Horse Society with this project. We hope that the work to restore the bridleway will mean the local community can enjoy it for many years to come.”
Additional funds towards the project have been awarded via the BHS Ride Out Fund, Binsted Parish Council, South Downs National Park, Hampshire County Council, the BHS local Hampshire committee and the local ramblers committee.
