Actor Martin Clunes opens East Lancashire £10m horse riding trail

8:52am Tuesday 19th June 2012 in North West

A £10million horse-riding trail, incorporating some of East Lancashire’s most dramatic countryside, has been officially declared open.

Riders have been able to enjoy the picturesque Mary Towneley Loop, the 47-mile long track which circles rural Burnley, Bacup, Whitworth and Todmorden, for around a decade.

But now the final leg of the Pennine Bridleway has been opened by Natural England in the Yorkshire Dales.

TV actor Martin Clunes, president of the British Horse Society, cut the ribbon on the route, which stretches from Derbyshire to Ravestonedale in Cumbria, and is the third largest trail in the country.

Around 140 deals have been made with landowners across the various counties, to make the trail a reality and an estimated 105km of extra bridleway has been created.

Just north of the Mary Towneley Loop, the trail extends through Southfield, Trawden, Laneshawbridge and West Craven, en-route to Gisburn and the Dales.

Poul Christensen, Natural England chairman, said “We are delighted to have completed the Pennine Bridleway route which provides outstanding opportunities to enjoy some of England’s finest countryside and is a fantastic asset.”

Comments (13)

9:51am Tue 19 Jun 12

Your ferret stinks says...

Fantastic news for horsey people! Now youv'e no excuse to be on the roads!
Fantastic news for horsey people! Now youv'e no excuse to be on the roads! Your ferret stinks

9:54am Tue 19 Jun 12

DaveBurnley says...

Good to see they can find £10 million for such a vital project. Why not close down a few more children's homes and refuges, then they can spend even more on a spoilt minority?
Good to see they can find £10 million for such a vital project. Why not close down a few more children's homes and refuges, then they can spend even more on a spoilt minority? DaveBurnley

9:57am Tue 19 Jun 12

RUinsane says...

I wonder how many wind turbines will be plopped along this route ruining all the good scenery.
I wonder how many wind turbines will be plopped along this route ruining all the good scenery. RUinsane

9:59am Tue 19 Jun 12

RUinsane says...

Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?
Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it? RUinsane

10:17am Tue 19 Jun 12

Your ferret stinks says...

RUinsane wrote:
Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?
Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless.

Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ?
[quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?[/p][/quote]Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless. Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ? Your ferret stinks

10:44am Tue 19 Jun 12

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123 says...

the money would have been better spent on cycle lanes on the roads,,
the money would have been better spent on cycle lanes on the roads,, ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

12:01pm Tue 19 Jun 12

gazzandste says...

bikerjohn_uk wrote:
Your ferret stinks wrote:
RUinsane wrote:
Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?
Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless.

Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ?
It's a public bridleway FFS, of course you can ride your bike along it and walk on it too. It's comments like yours that show the generally high level of ignorance among the criminal classes. Take the time to research before posting such facile comments. Or better still, get up off your fat arse and get some exercise - perhaps by walking or cycling some of the Pennine Bridleway.
Why criminal. Dick turpin rode a horse, try looking at yourself before branding other people with your comments.
[quote][p][bold]bikerjohn_uk[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Your ferret stinks[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?[/p][/quote]Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless. Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ?[/p][/quote]It's a public bridleway FFS, of course you can ride your bike along it and walk on it too. It's comments like yours that show the generally high level of ignorance among the criminal classes. Take the time to research before posting such facile comments. Or better still, get up off your fat arse and get some exercise - perhaps by walking or cycling some of the Pennine Bridleway.[/p][/quote]Why criminal. Dick turpin rode a horse, try looking at yourself before branding other people with your comments. gazzandste

12:38pm Tue 19 Jun 12

A Darener says...

RUinsane wrote:
Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?
Note that although Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 permits the riding of bicycles on public bridleways, the act says that it "shall not create any obligation to facilitate the use of the bridleway by cyclists". Thus the right to cycle exists even though it may be difficult to exercise on occasion. Cyclists using a bridleway are also obliged to give way to other users on foot or horseback.
[quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?[/p][/quote]Note that although Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 permits the riding of bicycles on public bridleways, the act says that it "shall not create any obligation to facilitate the use of the bridleway by cyclists". Thus the right to cycle exists even though it may be difficult to exercise on occasion. Cyclists using a bridleway are also obliged to give way to other users on foot or horseback. A Darener

12:56pm Tue 19 Jun 12

JayEss says...

Anything which opens up access to the countryside is a good thing in my book.
Anything which opens up access to the countryside is a good thing in my book. JayEss

1:27pm Tue 19 Jun 12

Your ferret stinks says...

gazzandste wrote:
bikerjohn_uk wrote:
Your ferret stinks wrote:
RUinsane wrote: Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?
Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless. Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ?
It's a public bridleway FFS, of course you can ride your bike along it and walk on it too. It's comments like yours that show the generally high level of ignorance among the criminal classes. Take the time to research before posting such facile comments. Or better still, get up off your fat arse and get some exercise - perhaps by walking or cycling some of the Pennine Bridleway.
Why criminal. Dick turpin rode a horse, try looking at yourself before branding other people with your comments.
Wow! where to start.......Ok bikerjohn_uk or i should say Alfred Wainwright don't you think that we all know you can ride a bicycle and walk on a public bridleway? doh! The point i am making is that this £10 million has been spent purely for horse riders! not walkers or cyclists or disabled or childeren but horse riders!
Do you think that is money well spent especially as the horse will be so knackered trotting from blackburn to the start of the trail that it is of little or no benefitt for 99% of people round here even if you do own a horse.
I have not and have never been convicted of any criminal wrongdoing so that blows that statement out of the water, (though i have been chased for poaching a few times).
As for getting off my fat arse i reckon at 5'10" and 13 stone i'm not so fat and have only just got back from being on the north york moors getting pi55ed wet through since friday morning and camping out.
Maybe you should eat your own words and, quote"Take the time to research before posting such facile comments" !
Have a nice day.
[quote][p][bold]gazzandste[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]bikerjohn_uk[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Your ferret stinks[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RUinsane[/bold] wrote: Oh sorry another question, can I ride my bike along it?[/p][/quote]Probably not as horsey people seem to be a law unto themselves and want everything their own way and start stating bygone laws from yesteryear, however the current law states that they should also wear Hi-vis jackets when out riding but how many do? The next time i ride past i'll pip my horn eh just to remind you! As soon as they mount a horse they actually believe they are gentry and have the right of way regardless. Bet you'd love to spank me with your riding crop whilst shouting 'tally ho' ?[/p][/quote]It's a public bridleway FFS, of course you can ride your bike along it and walk on it too. It's comments like yours that show the generally high level of ignorance among the criminal classes. Take the time to research before posting such facile comments. Or better still, get up off your fat arse and get some exercise - perhaps by walking or cycling some of the Pennine Bridleway.[/p][/quote]Why criminal. Dick turpin rode a horse, try looking at yourself before branding other people with your comments.[/p][/quote]Wow! where to start.......Ok bikerjohn_uk or i should say Alfred Wainwright don't you think that we all know you can ride a bicycle and walk on a public bridleway? doh! The point i am making is that this £10 million has been spent purely for horse riders! not walkers or cyclists or disabled or childeren but horse riders! Do you think that is money well spent especially as the horse will be so knackered trotting from blackburn to the start of the trail that it is of little or no benefitt for 99% of people round here even if you do own a horse. I have not and have never been convicted of any criminal wrongdoing so that blows that statement out of the water, (though i have been chased for poaching a few times). As for getting off my fat arse i reckon at 5'10" and 13 stone i'm not so fat and have only just got back from being on the north york moors getting pi55ed wet through since friday morning and camping out. Maybe you should eat your own words and, quote"Take the time to research before posting such facile comments" ! Have a nice day. Your ferret stinks

7:04pm Tue 19 Jun 12

her from here says...

Whats in a name everyone can use it it has taken 10 years to complete.Let's hope parents will take their kids on it and show them the countryside.
Whats in a name everyone can use it it has taken 10 years to complete.Let's hope parents will take their kids on it and show them the countryside. her from here

10:25am Wed 20 Jun 12

prince of darkness says...

Alas poor research by people who have commented on this, the late Mary Towneley was instrumental in setting up the bridal way that bares her name. She was also involved with assisting handicapped children gain experience of horse riding, also with other children’s charities. No I am not a horse person.
Alas poor research by people who have commented on this, the late Mary Towneley was instrumental in setting up the bridal way that bares her name. She was also involved with assisting handicapped children gain experience of horse riding, also with other children’s charities. No I am not a horse person. prince of darkness

8:39pm Sun 24 Jun 12

pdb951 says...

Excuse me but what is 105km. Don't you know we still use the Mile in the UK!
Excuse me but what is 105km. Don't you know we still use the Mile in the UK! pdb951

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