The new bridleway between Church Street in Thriplow and Kingsway in Heathfield, the new bridleway linking the Drift Track to Heathfield and the Public Footpath by-passing the KWS Yard are now Official Public Rights of Way following the completion of consultation periods.  In addition, The Heathfield Residents Association has given permission for Kingsway to be used for bridleway access between the A505 and the start of the concrete track.  Consequently the Right of Way through the KWS yard is now closed and this area should not be used any more by the public.  Direction signposts have been ordered for all the routes and these will soon be in place.

The new concrete bridleway between Church St and Kingsway has been given the name Greenway - in recognition of the name of a track that used to run through these fields before Enclosure erased many such tracks in the middle of the 19th century.  The name has a relevance in today's environment too!  We have noticed that these new tracks are already well used, and that people have been enjoying the new amenity of circular routes around the parish throughout the summer.

Bridleways can be used by pedestrians, bicycles, horses and landowner's farm vehicles. They cannot be used by private cars or motorcycles (including unlicensed vehicles) without permission - for example, as fishermen have on the Drift Track to get to the fishing ponds - and in this case, great care should be exercised.  Illegal use of cars and motorcycles on these tracks can result in seizure and destruction of the vehicle.

There is still a bit of work to do on these routes.  Apart from the wayposts, the Thriplow Society is designing some interpretive boards for use around the parish and we will install a couple of benches and some plantings that will encourage wildlife along Greenway.  The earth banks to the side of the concrete will be seeded with grass next spring when the land has compacted somewhat.  There is a plan being developed by the Parish Council to open Greenway officially next Spring, watch this space for details.