HORSE riders have responded angrily after a landowner tarmacked over large sections of a bridlepath.

Farmer, John Howard, says he has re-surfaced part of the unmade up track between his Newton Grange Farm, at Bank Newton, near Gargrave, after losing patience with the highways authority.

Mr Howard says after years of asking North Yorkshire County Council to repair potholes on the stretch he owns, he has decided to do it himself.

But the track, which is a right of way between East Marton and Bank Newton, and is crossed by the Pennine Way, is regularly used by horse riders, cyclists and walkers who fear it will lead to an increase in vehicle traffic and destroy its peace and tranquility.

Horse riders, who have been bombarding the highways authority with their concerns, say the surface is wrong for horses, who could slip and potentially hurt themselves and their riders - especially in the winter months when it becomes icy.

They are also concerned about the wildlife, including deer and owls, who live in the area, if the re-surfacing was to see an increase in traffic.

Sheila and Tim Pilling, owners of Wilkinson's Farm Livery, at East Marton, say the bridlepath is not only used by the horse owners at their livery, but is part of a long distance route used by riders from far and wide.

"A tarmacked lane will inevitably become a short-cut and rat-run for cars and lorries from the A59 to Gargrave destroying one of the last remaining relatively traffic free safe places for horse riders, cyclists and walkers to enjoy," said Mrs Pilling.

"More traffic will destroy the safe habitat for deer and other wildlife that live in the woods next to the land, and the public bridleway will be unsafe if used as a rat-run as it is narrow and has ditches to the side and does not have sufficient passing places.

Even now we have to rescue people in cars that have lost their way and driven into the ditch."

Mr Howard, who is currently involved in a dispute with Craven District Council over an unauthorised barn next to the Pennine Way and is awaiting the result of a planning appeal, said he had followed British Horse Society guidance over the type of surfacing used, and was only doing what had taken place in other parts of the right of way.

"I've been trying to get the council to maintain the road for four years, I'm fed up having to repair it," he said. Mr Howard said the section of the track belonged to him, there were gates at each end, which were closed from time to time, when they needed to move stock.

And, he added walkers, cyclists and horse riders were welcome to continue using the right of way, adding that he did everything he could to accommodate horse riders - including having facilities for owners and horses at his Newton Grange holiday cottages.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “Our public rights of way team has received a complaint about this matter and is currently investigating.”