Briars Bridleways Projects

 

 
What we have acheived so far
Briars Bridleways was set up in February 2007 by a number of horse riders based in the Aberdare area. Since it began we have been working with the BHS, RCT council and the Forestry Commission to improve off road riding.
 

 

 Glynneath Bridleway

RCT council have completed works on the bridleway including a horse safe bridge and some re-surfacing.   

 

 Pontypridd Bridleway

A new bridleway gate is going to be put up on the bridleway between Gelliwion Road in Pontypridd to the Rhondda Heritage Centre.

There have been issues on the bridleway with motorbikes and quads pulling fences down and driving over fields.

 

Garwnant Forestry

We are currently developing an action plan with the Forestry Commission around horse riding in Garwnant Forestry. We are hoping to develop a parking area, coral, maps and signposting for horse riders wishing to enjoy the forestry and new vistor centre facilities. 

 Garwnant Forestry

The Forestry Commission has asked horse riders to stay off the new footpaths that have been put down in Garwnant forestry but horse riders are welcome to ride on the main forestry tracks.  Please could all adhere to this please.

 

Cwmaman & Abercwmboi

The Communites First in Cwmaman and Abercwmboi have secured funding to develop new paths from Abercwmboi to Cwmaman. We are currently working with the Communities First and a number of other oranisations re th development of horse friendly routes.  

 

 

Results of Road Safety Survey

Many Thanks to everyone who completed the road safety survey

 

We had a total of 66 responses from local riders. The information will be used to improve road safety through working with the local council and as evidence of need when submitting funding applications to improve safety for horse riders on the road.

 

For those people in living in the Trelewis area reporting issues with access your concerns have been forwarded to the BHS county access & bridleways officer and Caerphilly council who are investigating

 

  • The majority of people 60% ride on the road on a weekly basis to access off road riding, although 30% of people said they didn't have access to off road riding facilities.
  • 20% of people surveyed had been involved in a road traffic collision while riding
  • 64% of people reported a near miss while riding on the road, with 71% receiving verbal abuse while out riding.
  • Only 24% of people have completed their riding & road safety test and 76% of people said they would like to undertake the test given the opportunity
  • The majority of people surveyed asked for better access to off road riding facilities 

 

Hirwaun Village Green

Residents in Hirwaun have won a long battle to stop developers building on land known locally as the Gloucesters or the Ironworks. After an appeal the land has been allocated as a village green meaning that it can be used by everyone, including horse riders for years to come. Briars Bridleways were one of the representatives at the appeal hearing to ensure that horse riders didn't lose a valuable resource.

For the full story click here  

 

 

Aberaman Farrells to Gasworks Road

 

The council have now altered the barriers that were put up on the track behind Farrells. They have now included horse steps to allow riders access. 

 

Cwmaman nr Football Field
The local residents association were in the process of putting up a new barrier in order to stop motorbikes. This would mean that horse riders would be forced to ride on the road through Cwmaman instead of using the off road track. Working with the residents association and Cwmaman Communities First an agreement was reached to include a horse step as part of the new barrier.
Many thanks to Cwmaman Communities First who funded the alterations.

 

  
Trecynon
After discussions with Briars Bridleways the council have added a horse step by the side of the A-Frame barrier to allow horse access to the lane at the bottom of Mill street Trecynon. This means that riders can use an off road track rather than having to ride around on the road.
Pictures below show old barrier and
new horse step at bottom of Mill road
 

 
Tramway
The council have widened the barrier @ Penywaun on the tramway between Hirwaun & Aberdare to make it more suitable for horses to pass.  
Pictures show old barrier and
new wider barrier at Penywaun
 
 
Aberdare Park
Briars Bridleways and the council have come to a compromise about the track running behind Aberdare park which was made a Safe route to school by the Highways department stopping access for horse riders. This meant that riders were forced to use the main road. These riders included many members of the local Pony Club who used the route to access training. After negotiating with the Countryside and Parks department and Highways an agreement has been reached to open the route at the Beechwood avenue end. riders can then ride safely off road taking the middle gate into Aberdare Park and out onto Park Lane through the main park gates. The barrier has now been altered to include a horse step.
Picture shows  new horse step at Beechwood Avenue & route riders can now take through Aberdare Park
 

 

 

Werfa Forestry Abernant

The Forestry Commision have re-opened the Wefra Forestry for horse riders after talks with Briars Bridleways. Riders can access the forestry from Werfa lane. At the second forestry gate on the left hand side there is a horse step, turn left straight away and you will see a small track through the trees, this track will take you onto the main Foretsry roads and tracks. If you take the track from Werfa lane over the horse step and go straight on the path will lead you onto the old line in Cwmbach.  

Picture shows new horse step at Werfa Forest 

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