I AM a horse rider and regularly use the Stretch Gate bridleway between Shelley and Shepley. Whilst riding there yesterday morning I was stopped and asked by a local resident if I approved of the re-surfacing of the stretch below the old part of the bridleway and the main road, a distance of approximately 150yds.
I confirmed that I certainly did approve as the old surface was a scattering of chippings, certainly not an ideal surface for the feet of horses which are ridden and dogs that are walked regularly there, and the new surface is a smooth bitumen type one.
I was completely staggered therefore on being informed that Kirklees Council were insisting on the new surface being removed as the residents who had combined funding for the improvement had failed to apply for permission to do so – a condition that they were apparently unaware of since the bridleway is also a roadway which accesses their properties.
If it were a house or some other construction then I could understand the council’s attitude but why any sensible organisation would wish to take such a “jobsworth” attitude on something which is quite obviously an improvement for all its users is, in my humble opinion anyway, bureaucracy gone quite barmy!
Mrs J M Bowers
Highurton
