Help SAFE help you!
Please help us to help you to fill these pages.
Do you see an opportunity for improving off-road riding in your area? Perhaps with some support you are prepared to help bring this about?.
We can provide advice about contacts and grant funding and have some limited funds (which added to “matched” grant funding can often go quite a long way). If so please do get in touch .
Draethan Signage – UPDATE
Thanks to Caerphilly Rights of Way team for signing the bridlepath.
It came to SAFE’s attention that the absence of signage and the fact that one of the bridlepaths looked like it is a driveway leading to to a house (on the north side) and meant that some local riders did not realise there was a bridlepath there. It’s also part of the Caerphilly promoted horse rides – the Caerphilly Ridgeway Routes.
This was reported to Caerphilly who undertook to ensure the statutory signage was reinstated.
The pictures show the bridlepath which crosses the road just west of the Hollybush pub looking north and opposite looking south and the current signage.
A link to the Caerphilly Ridgeway brochure has been placed on the Documents/Maps page of the web site.
Ruperra 1
Thanks go to the Ruperra Conservation Trust who have obtained funding for part of the horse route referred to as the Snowdrop Path (which runs parallel to the main track which is not horse accessible) to undertake drainage work – with the surface being scraped, regraded and stone added where appropriate. A drainage ditch has been dug on the upside of the track to catch water flowing down from the hillside and pipe it away. This section has proved very muddy especially in the winter and despite the heavy rain is already much improved, as shown in the photo, below.
Funding was obtained via Caerphilly Borough Council via the Sustainable Landscape Partnership of which SAFE is an active member.
If you ride in the woods regularly the Trust would very much appreciate your support and you can join for a modest amount via their website.
Ruperra 2
Two members of SAFE attended a good meeting with Caerphilly Council in respect of the Caerphilly Landscape project, which has limited funds to support environmental and access projects. The good news is that two horse related schemes are being taken forward. First, over two applications, Ruperra trust have secured funding of improvements to their routes – the majority of work being done on the horse route – and the cost of that work which involves surfacing and drainage will exceed £6000, so riders and other users will see a significant improvement.
See a map of the Ruperra route here.
Secondly, there’s a very poor step over which comes down from the forestry on the road just to the west of Maenllwyd pub in Rudry. It is overgrown, very muddy and involves a very steep step down right onto the road. It needs building up, some proper surfacing and some clearance work in order to provide a safe entrance and exit . Nearly £600 has been allocated to fund this work so again there should be a material improvement (although on a much smaller scale). UPDATE: Work has now been carried out and details have been posted to the Projects page.
The meetings have representations from landowners; commoners; cyclists; walkers; and horse riders as well as environmentalists . It’s a nice example of everyone working together for the common good
North Machen
SAFE is currently in contact with Caerphilly County Borough Council regarding the replacement or repair of a gate which is proving impossible to manage from horseback.
Gwern-y-Domen planning application
SAFE was previously involved with the BHS, Caerphilly Council and the Welsh Forestry Commission in the creation of routes in the area for walkers, cyclists and riders.
SAFE is currently active in feeding into the consultation process regarding a housing development in this area, which may impact negatively on access for horse riders.
There are concerns that a development on a green field site will increase traffic on country lanes used by horseriders and SAFE needs to understand how any new roads and housing will impact on the bridlepath at its northern end.
Horse Step over Coed Coesau
The step over is steep and very muddy. Being close to a road makes it more dangerous. SAFE has been in contact with Natural Resources Wales with a view to raising the surface and (if practicable) moving it back to make it safer.