RURAL VANDALISM.

We have in the Parish of Bourn, the following rights of way.

22 footpaths,

2 bridleways,

4 byways,

Over the years we have spent many hours on the paths to keep them in good condition. This work is on-going and every year we carry out an improvement programme under the Parish Paths Scheme , where we are allocated money from the County Council, we also spent Parish Council Precept money as well.
Recently we received congratulations from The County Councils Countryside Services Team for the condition of all our rights of way.
It was to my disappointment recently to find a ridden horse had seriously damaged the surface of Footpath No 6, between Caxton End and the 1198 road. This is a criminal offence.
The location of this footpath will make it difficult and costly to repair, it involves 3 landowners.
The condition the path has been left in makes it very easy to sprain or break an ankle and has no easy access for emergency vehicles.

If you are a horse rider in the area you need to be familiar with the law covering footpaths, bridleways and byways.

Your rights are,

Public Footpaths ON FOOT ONLY.

Bridleways ON FOOT, HORSEBACK, and PEDAL CYCLE

Byways, ALL TRAFFIC.

Our 2 bridleways are.

BRIDLEWAY NO 5 Starts near the entrance to Bourn School in Riddy Lane and ends at the 1198 opposite entrance to Longstowe Hall.

BRIDLEWAY NO 15 Starts at Crow End Lane to the Caldecote parish boundary.

Our 4 byways are,

Byway N0 16 Starts at Crow End Lane to the south end of Cherry Cottage.

Byway NO 17 Starts at Alms Hill near the Moulton Hills to Crow End Lane.

Byway NO 24, Starts at Porters Way from the Toft road (B,1046 )near the old railway bridge to the Kingston Boundary.

Byway NO 25, Starts at the 1198 opposite the Red House to the Kingston parish boundary near Kingston Wood.

HORSE RIDERS, Please keep to the bridleways and byways, the only time you can ride on a footpath, you need to comply with the following condititons,

You must have written permission of all the landowners of the paths to be used.
You need third party insurance, and you must repair any damage you do to the surface.