West Vale Branch
Projects
Steppingstone Lane Bridge Restoration

Interested parties (council rights-of-way representative, walkers and horse riders) met on site to view and comment on the finished bridleway diversion. Those in attendance included a district council representative, walkers and horse riders. Approximately 20 people turned up in all. The Branch is very grateful to the Vale of White Horse District Council Rights-of-Way Field Officer for attending in his own time. 

It was suggested that we should extend the scalpings through the copse and up the northern approach to prevent the cutting-up of the route and the spreading of mud over the surfaced sections - this will be done as time allows before the Winter.

Although the original right-of-way over the bridge is not yet officially closed, we did open the diversion. For the time being, users have the choice of using the diversion or the original route. We will now apply for official permission to temporarily divert the right-of way.

While we were there two horses and riders were persuaded to be the first official users of the diversion.

The diversion was described as being "probably one of the best bridleways in the Vale [of White Horse]"!

Now all we've got to do is restore the bridge!