main content Shire Lane bridleway open to all

A new bridleway in Shire Lane was opened on Wednesday by the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Mrs Joan Wykes OBE. The mile long route will enable walkers, horse riders and cyclists to use Shire Lane without using the road - which should improve safety for everyone as well as extending access to the countryside. The route was constructed with the help of volunteers, the co-operation of a local farmer and £20,000 of Transport for London (TFL) funding. Bromley Bridleways Access Group were also involved in the project.

"We are very fortunate to have such a large area of countryside to enjoy and explore. This new addition to the 'rights of way network' is to be celebrated. I know that Shire Lane bridleway has been a very much needed route, providing an alternative, off-road means of linking people with more rural destinations. I am sure it will be well used" said the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Mrs Joan Wykes.

Children from Farnborough Primary School joined in the celebrations and came along with paper footprints, with their bark rubbings of trees seen en route. The children had earlier been taught the benefits of walking in a SUN project initiative. It is hoped that the bridleway will:

• Reduce the need for local people to use their car for short journeys
• Increase the amount of exercise people take
  Allow more people to see local wildlife by introducing a safe avenue

The volunteer group who worked with Council Officers to create the route was thanked. The path passes through farmland and part of High Elms Country Park. It helps to connect a number of public footpaths and access routes in the area and falls within the proposed Darwin at Downe World Heritage Site. The opening of the public bridleway coincided with British Horse Society's National Access Week.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The route has been funded by the Council, Transport for London (TFL) and with money raised by Bromley Bridleways Access Group.

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, 020 8461 7670 or Ewa Prokop, Countryside Projects Officer on 020 8313 4665 or E-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.

Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/conservation.