Two Warnham footpaths are upgrade to bridleways

The recent diversion of the paths provided the opportunity for West Sussex County Council to enter into an agreement with the landowner for the new routes to be upgraded, a council spokeswoman said.

The support of the project from the landowner was key together with Warnham Parish Council who had a long-standing ambition to create an off road connection between the village and Horsham, she added.

The spokeswoman said: “As well as their firm support right from the earliest days of the project the Parish Council also agreed to make a substantial contribution towards the cost of constructing the new route.

“A spell of fine weather after harvest allowed just enough time for the County Council’s contractors to complete the construction work and the new route is already proving to be popular with walkers and riders. Bridleway waymarkers are to be installed shortly.”

Peter Silburn, secretary of Horsham District Cycling Forum said the group welcomed the opening of the path.

He added: “[It] will provide a much needed safe off-road cycle route between Horsham and Warnham.

“With the ongoing Covid pandemic the need for safe cycle routes is greater than ever. Safe and convenient cycle routes between Horsham and the surrounding villages are vital to connect communities together.”

The new bridleway runs from Bell Road in Warnham on a new crushed stone surfaced field edge track to join the old disused A24 route, also a bridleway, which runs south through trees to meet Robin Hood Lane close to the roundabout.

But Peter raised concerns the gravel surface may not an ‘attractive all-year-round experience’ for users and called for the paths to be upgrade to bitmac.

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said “As the path between Warnham and Horsham is a bridleway, which will be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, it would have been inappropriate to lay a bitmac surface.

“The new crushed stone surfaced field edge track was chosen to be in keeping with its surroundings and for its suitability for all path users and the surface will be monitored on a regular basis.”

From Robin Hood Lane it is just a short stretch of the Lane to reach the underpass to Rookwood golf course where permissive rights granted by the District Council allow cyclists access eastwards into Horsham, she said.

The spokeswoman added: “As well as improving the wider public path network for leisure or for commuting to work this new route provides an important new facility for the local community who can now connect between Warnham village and Horsham avoiding major roads.