Letter: New Forest footpath is mission impassible

Boldre has one of the most interesting and delightful walks alongside the Lymington River from Shallows Lane to Undershore.

It is also a bridleway as well as a footpath known as B6 to Boldre Parish Council. But it has been impassable to riders for a number of years due to overgrowth and fallen trees. It is passable to walkers with wellies or stout shoes.

The river is visible from the path and the flora and fauna that abound there is truly astounding. Kingfishers, herons, dippers and sand martins fly up and down the river and there are voles on the banks while fish abound in the river. It is a wonderful place.

I have been trying to get this valuable asset cleaned up and restored since before lockdown without success. I am constantly referred to the county council by the parish council who rejected my plan for restoration in 2019.

Hampshire County Council insist on all reports going through their sclerotic and ponderous website, then they do nothing.

The repair and maintenance of the bridleway/footpath is nominally the responsibility of the landowner. But the successive landowners have been stymied by the Environment Agency who reset the cycles of the sluice gates at the toll bridge. The purpose of the new regime is to flood the water meadows upstream and create a mire.

However, the bridleway is recoverable as the only time it is inundated is during winter floods. If anyone has any ideas about how we may regain access to this very special walk I will be delighted to hear how it may be achieved.

Roger Bell

Boldre