A 3-year plan commencing in 2001 for the improvement of amenities for walkers, riders and cyclists in a Site of Special Scientific Interest serving communities in South Bucks.
 

1) Present Situation   page   2
2) Objectives    page   4
3) The participants   page   5
4) A 5-phase 3-year plan   page   7
5) Funding requirements   page   9
6) Funding Sources   page 10
Annexes:

Maps of the present and of phase 1 to 5
Request for Quotations for building trails (March 2001)
2 quotations for building trails (April 2001)
Letter from Forest Enterprise to Bucks CC (February 2001)
Letter of support from English Nature (March 2001)
Letter of support from the South Bucks Riding Club
Letter of support from the British Horse Society
Press clippings 20th and 24th April 2001

Proposed by the Hodgemoor Riding Association whose Secretary is Susie Bicknell.

Seconded and advised by Forest Enterprise, whose Recreation Ranger for South Buckinghamshire is Liz Manley. Her phone number is 01296 625825 and her address: Forest Enterprise Chiltern office, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5NF.
 

An area of outstanding natural beauty
Hodgemoor Wood is one of the largest tracts of semi-natural broad-leaved woodland remaining in the Buckinghamshire Chilterns and has a wide and contrasting range of soil types.  The combination of the varied structure of the woodland on such a wide range of soils is exceptional in the Chiltern Hills. It was classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1992.  Most of the Wood has been leased by Forest Enterprise from Bucks County Council and is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Forest Enterprise is the agency responsible for the management of forests and woodlands owned by the nation.

An amenity
Hodgemoor is a popular community wood, close to the villages of Seer Green and Chalfont St Giles.  Many dog walkers, ramblers, horse-riders and cyclists from a catchment area reaching from Uxbridge and Beaconsfield up to Amersham and Rickmansworth regularly use the Wood throughout the year.  With an area of only 253 acres, considerable pressure is placed on the Wood by these users, and particularly by the horse-riders.

Boggy trails
Hodgemoor Wood has a car park, a circular walking trail, a BMX track and a network of permissive riding trails.  It also has one bridlepath. Where the soil is particularly peaty or clay-based, many sections of the riding trails have become so boggy as to be virtually impassable. This is destructive to the overall well-being of the Wood and discouraging to users. This poor state of the riding trails is not a new problem.  Horse riders have been using the Wood for years, and Forest Enterprise has tried to find solutions.  Currently, horse riders are – understandably – tempted to poach large areas of woodland to avoid the boggy sections and so create progressively larger and larger boggy areas.  Walkers – who also use these riding trails – are obviously not happy with this situation. Ideally, all boggy sections should be given a well-drained hard base.  But funding is the problem.

Funding Problems
In November 1994, Forest Enterprise felt it would have to close the riding trails unless some attempt was made by the riding community to help find a funding solution. A riding permit system was tried but did not succeed. In early 1996 the Hodgemoor Riding Association was formed.  Funding from Bucks County Council was obtained to provide a hard base on 130 metres of a main riding trail.  This has helped greatly and is in good condition after 6 years.  But this only forms a small part of the network. Due to lack of resources, Forest Enterprise has not been able to maintain any of the other riding trails in the last four years.  In fact, once again, some riding trails may have to be closed unless a funding solution can be found.

The Growth of Horse Riding as a Recreational Activity
Horse-riding is currently a fast-growing recreation and is encouraged by the government. The British Equestrian Trade Association National Survey of 1999 estimates that 2.4 million people (4.5% of the population) enjoy riding each year contributing £900 million into the rural economy. This part of Buckinghamshire has one of the highest concentrations of horse-riders in the country.  Within 2 or 3 miles of the Wood boundaries, there are at least 11 livery yards (with another opening in April) as well as private owners representing an estimated 300 horses and ponies.

The Need for Safe, Off-road Hacking
Apart from the very few bridle-paths, Hodgemoor Wood is the only area locally where hacking is possible off the roads. Many riders are reluctant to hack in the Wood because of the terrible state of the trails.  They therefore stay on the roads with the resulting possible dangers for themselves and motorists.

The British Horse Society estimates that there are at least 3000 accidents involving horses on roads in the UK every year, that is to say 8 a day.  Over 100 horses are killed.  Other reports suggest the accident rate could be much higher: nearer 29 a day, or over 10 000 a year.  Many police reports do not include the fact that equines are involved in accidents.

The British Horse Society has led several campaigns to educate both motorists and horse-riders on mutual road safety.  The  Council for the Protection of Rural England has led the “Quiet Lanes” initiative where certain rural roads are designated as safe places for walking, cycling and horse-riding and have a lower speed limit set for them.  The BHS representative for South Bucks is working with Bucks CC on “quiet lanes”, but as yet no such roads have been designated. This all helps, but obviously the more off-road facilities that can be provided, the better it is for everybody.

The full completion of this project would create 2 to 3 miles where horse-riders could at least spend around half-an-hour to an hour off the roads.

 
2) Objectives

The Hodgemoor Riding Association through this development plan aims
a) to improve the amenities of Hodgemoor Wood for riders, cyclists, ramblers and walkers,
b) to prevent further degradation of the permissive trails in the wood, and
c) to reduce the danger of horse-riding on roads

The principal activity proposed in the plan is the creation or improvement of riding paths by surfacing them with suitable hard core.

Creating a High Quality Network of Riding Trails
The Wood has one good quality trail and one bridlepath (currently being upgraded by SUSTRANS as it has become part of the National Millennium Cycle Network). Forest Enterprise believes the continued development of a network of riding trails would greatly benefit the Wood and all its users.

From a conservation point of view, a good network would motivate riders to stay on the trails and would no longer damage other areas.  Walkers would also benefit, as they use the riding trails.  Local motorists would benefit, as there would be fewer riders on the roads.

Future Maintenance of Riding Trails
Once these improvements are made, Forest Enterprise with the help of the riding association, will be able to maintain the trails more easily.  This will involve

• keeping vegetation from the trails,
• removing dead trees and overhanging branches,
• repairing any surface defects,
• removing litter and
• improving trail signs and way markers.

Hodgemoor Riding Association is aware of the need to find a consensus of opinion between the various people using the wood, and the bodies that represent them. We are working in a spirit of consultation and co-operation with them.

Forest Enterprise
Hodgemoor Riding Association is working today most closely with Forest Enterprise to develop the network of riding trails a) where the soil is most suited to horse use, and b) where the least disruption the wood and other users would be created. Forest Enterprise is fully aware that the Hodgemoor Riding Association is very keen to encourage co-operation between horse riders, cyclists and walkers, so that the Wood may be best preserved. Forest Enterprise has co-operated in the preparation of this plan.
Contact: Liz Manley, Recreation Ranger: 01296 625825

Buckinghamshire County Council
Bucks CC is the owner of Hodgemoor Wood and leases it to Forest Enterprise. Bucks CC is supportive of the Hodgemoor Riding Association plan and their representatives have participated in working meetings. We support their plan for a new bridle-way from Threehouseholds to the south-east corner of the wood and are working with them to complete its introduction.

We await their response to the letter from Forest Enterprise of 12th February 2001 to Bucks CC asking for funding help for the completion of the link required in Hodgemoor Wood to complete a through way for the new bridle-way.
Contact: Jonathan Clark, Area Rights of Way Officer: 01494 475368

Chiltern District Council
The Council was recently approached by the Association for funding.  They were favourable, but could not fund the Association, as it is not the owner of the Wood.  Nor can the Council fund Forest Enterprise, as it is a government agency.
Contact: Jan Longhurst, Grants Administrator: 01494 732144

English Nature
English Nature fully supports this project for a high-quality network of riding trails (see attached letter).

British Horse Society
The Hodgemoor Riding Association is a member of the BHS. One of the main aims of the BHS is “developing new opportunities for safe, off-road riding”. The Hodgemoor Wood Development Plan has the full support of Brenda Wickham, the local BHS representative (see attached letter).
Contact: Brenda Wickham: 01753 882827
 
South Bucks Riding Club
South Bucks Riding Club is situated on the outskirts of Chalfont St Peter, just 2 miles from Hodgemoor Wood.  It organises several well-attended events a year.  It has a contact list of around a 1000 riders, most of whom are based within 20 miles.  It fully supports the Association’s objectives (see attached letter).
Contact: Sue and Jeff Jarvis: 01494 873200

Friends of Hodgemoor Wood
The Friends represent walkers’ interests in the Wood.  They are fully aware of the Association’s objectives and have been consulted on the proposed improvements that they support.  They feel strongly that riding trails should be of high quality to deter riders from straying onto footpaths or into the woodland.
Contact: Andy and Jan Still:  01494 873388

Residents’ Association of Chalfont St Giles
This Association is being consulted on the proposed improvements.

Other local bodies
We expect to make more significant contacts with other local bodies including the Parish Councils of Chalfont St. Giles, Seer Green and Jordans.

Hodgemoor Riding Association
The association has existed for 7 years but has renewed its positive efforts in view of the dilapidated state of the amenities. Their efforts have met with very positive response from Forest Enterprise, Bucks County Council and other users of the wood. The Association has a duly-established constitution and is close to securing charitable status.

The present officers of the Hodgemoor Riding Association are
Marcus Bicknell (Chairman)
Robin Richards (Treasurer)
Susie Bicknell (Secretary)
Heather Black
Terry Holbrook (previous Chairman)
Audrey Holbrook (previous Treasurer)
Judith Broadley

Susie Bicknell doubles as editor of the association's newsletter and she can be contacted on 01494 872447 or by e-mail on sBicknell@ndirect.co.uk. All parties can read about our activities on the association’s website http://www.hodgemoor.org.uk

 
4) The plan for Hodgemoor Wood:
5 phases over 3 years

Hodgemoor Riding Association has worked with its partners to plan a development of the paths in the wood over a period of time, depending in funds available, usage and other considerations. The principal paths and their development are shown on the maps attached.

The permissive trails are so deteriorated and muddy (see map) that they are impracticable to horse-riders. The proposed will improve selected trails over time and help keep horses away from the paths frequented by ramblers and walkers.

Phase 1: The Bucks CC Bridle-path and the Quarry Link

A New Bridle-path
Bucks County Council last year agreed a new bridle--path leading from Threehouseholds (be-tween Chalfont St Giles and Seer Green, picture below) across open fields to the south-eastern corner of the Wood.  However, there is no riding trail, only a footpath, to link this new bridle-path to existing riding trails in the Wood.  As there is no link, Bucks County Council has not for the time being got this new bridlepath working.

The Top Priority
The priority is to get the new bridlepath working by creating a new riding trail from the end of the new bridle-path (which we call the Quarry Link) to a point on Bottrells Lane just to the East of the car park. From this point riders can connect to other riding trails and longer-distance hacks. A new bridlepath plus a well-surfaced new trail would relieve the pressure on old poor quality trails.  This new route would also make the Wood more accessible to riders in Chalfont St Peter and Jordans. It would be advisable to complete the surfacing of the link before winter, so we aim for completion of Phase 1 in October 2001.
 Phase 2: Highfield, the Dell, and the Yellow Brick Road

In a second phase the Hodgemoor Riding Association and partners would resurface the path at the north west of the wood called Highfield. This enables riders to complete a loop from Bottrells Lane and the new path up near the car park to the West end of the wood and the bridle path back to Widmer Corner. Highfield is presently extremely boggy; exposed roots and pot holes make riding there not just impracticable but dangerous. The Mulcerns Drive needs no significant repair. The first part of the Dell (picture below)   would be done at the same time, as would repairs to relevant parts of the Yellow Brick Road. This should be undertaken in early 2002.

Phase 3: The Glade

The Glade path has been damaged in late 2000 and early 2001 by forestry contractors' timber-moving plant. Ruts a foot deep are all that is left of a pleasant ride through the pines which used to be quite distant from walkers' habitual routes. Forest Enterprise has proposed to shift the Glade path into the Valley to its West which requires less resurfacing and which has not be affected by the contractors. The latter part of the Dell would be done at the same time to complete the route. Phase 3 is planned for late 2002.

Phase 4: New Mount and the Beeches

Resurfacing parts of New Mount and the Beeches would complete the circuit of permissive riding trails proposed to us by Forest Enterprise. Completion 2003.

Phase 5: Hales Wood

Hales Wood is the wood to the North West of Hodgemoor, the other side of Bottrells Lane with a mobile telephone antenna. There are paths today which could be developed into trails of great interest to walkers and riders who could benefit from a new part of the amenity and some delightful vistas off to the West and Coles Hill. Although the resurfacing of some of the paths in Hales Wood is of secondary importance, it completes nicely the development plan and should be undertaken before mid 2004.
 
5) Funding Requirements

The costs associated with creating or renovating the paths are subject to quotes tendered by Forest Enterprise in March 2001 (see Annexes). The costs and quotes cover preparation and draining, brush clearing, the material (neutral pH hoggin is required as the wood is a SSSI) and laying. We consider a hardcore path 1.2 metres to be satisfactory for horse riding and the quotes are given on a per metre (m) basis. We give here a low and high range for the costs involved. Hodgemoor Riding Association and Forest Enterprise (and any other partner with whom the funding partner wishes us to co-operate) will manage the budget to get the best execution of our objectives, i.e. best value for the funds available.

The development plan provides for a sum of money needed to complete the work.

6) Funding Sources

At present, the Association has no significant funding source.  It has plans to organise various fund-raising activities such as sponsored rides, bring and buy sales and social events.

The Association would normally propose to use such sums to contribute towards subsequent maintenance of riding trails once the basic upgrading had been completed. However if a third party makes it a condition of funding that the Hodgemoor Riding Association put a proportion of these funds towards the capital costs of resurfacing and improvements, the committee of the Hodgemoor Riding Association would recommend to its members that we accept such a condition. It would then be seen that the members who benefit from the improved amenities would be making either a fund-raising effort or would put in some cash through membership fees or riding levies.

Given that both Bucks CC and Forest Enterprise seem unlikely to help with funding at the present time, we are looking further afield for funding, initially the Onyx Environmental Trust.
 

Signed for Hodgemoor Riding Association
Susie Bicknell, Secretary   Date 26th April 2001
 

Signed for Forest Enterprise
Liz Manley, Recreation Ranger  Date 26th April 2001