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BBAG – BROMLEY BRIDLEWAYS ACCESS GROUP          by Stella Etheridge

BBAG came into being in the late 1970’s when two local riders, frustrated at the lack of bridleways in this green borough of ours, approached Bromley Council to see what could be done to redress the situation but were fold that there was little or no money available for such projects. Undaunted, they set about seeking support from other like-minded riders and BBAG was born with the aim of raising funds for the creation and maintenance of new and existing bridleways, by augmenting the Council’s overstretched budget. Footpaths come free.  Walkers have exclusive rights to some 300 miles of footpaths in and around the Borough, protected by stiles and gates.  Riders on the other hand, even now have about 30 miles of off-road tracks, many of which have been funded by BBAG and which by law, have to be shared with walkers and cyclists. 

The organisation receives neither grants nor other funding from any source, so it raises funds all year round in various ways such as Sponsored Rides, Pleasure Rides, Quiz evenings, Boot sales, Jumble sales, ’in-stables’ Gymkhanas, Raffles, Coffee Mornings, and so on, or as one member observed, “If it’s legal, we’ve tried it!”  There is also a Supporters Scheme whereby riders contributing £7.50 a year, have the advantage of a discount at The Saddlery and Gun Room, Biggin Hill and a reduction in their entry fees when participating in our various events.

Now with a membership of around 200 Supporters, BBAG has funded and paid towards the creation and repair of bridleways and Permissive Rides on Hayes Common, at Keston, High Elms, Cudham, Downe, Jubilee Park and Shire Lane.  A Permissive Ride is one built on private land and ridden with the express permission of the Landowner.  In each case our minimum contribution was in the region of £2000.  The summer of 2008 saw the inauguration of the Safer Stables Scheme. In an initiative with the Darwin SNT to emboss saddles (free) with a traceable ‘signature’, as a deterrent to thieves, this highly successful system is still going strong with some 400 owners.  In 2009, we paid for and erected a mirror, to give riders, walkers and cyclists a clear view of oncoming traffic when exiting from a bridleway onto the public road at a dangerous bend in Cudham Lane North.  And in 2010 BBAG are working with Bromley Council to improve the condition of some of the local bridleways.

Over the 30 years of its existence and with affiliation to the British Horse Society, it has earned the trust and respect of Bromley Council and is included in consultations when horse related matters arise.  Its goal is the creation of a network of safe bridleways for riders as an alternative to ever increasingly busy and dangerous roads and lanes – but there’s a long way to go yet.

BBAG contact, e-mail bbag1976@aol.com

Safer Stables Scheme: contact the SNT on 020 8721 2603 or email darwin.snt@met.police.uk  

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Last modified: 12/06/10