Key Points
- An application has been submitted by the British Horse Society to upgrade a well-used and historic Horsforth footpath known locally as the ‘Roman Road’ to a bridleway.
- The affected route is located at the junction of Lee Lane East, St Margaret’s Road, and Westbrook Lane.
- A previous application for the route was submitted and subsequently withdrawn following local objections, which had included suggested widening and resurfacing adaptations.
- The current application focuses strictly on a change of legal status only, with no physical alterations, widening, or resurfacing proposed.
- Cllr Alan Radford (Labour, Woodside Ward) expressed concern, stating in a Town Council consideration that the resulting increase in equestrian traffic could present issues and calling the proposal “a threat to our historic environment”.
Horsforth (The Leeds Times) September 29 , 2026 —As local communities balance the preservation of historical routes with the growing demands of diverse path users, a formal application to alter the legal designation of a well-trodden pathway in West Yorkshire has triggered fresh discussion. The British Horse Society has lodged a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) aimed at upgrading a historic Horsforth footpath to a bridleway. The route, locally designated as the ‘Roman Road’, sits at the junction connecting Lee Lane East, St Margaret’s Road, and Westbrook Lane.
This latest submission follows an earlier bid regarding the same path, which was withdrawn after encountering substantial local objections.
While the previous attempt incorporated physical adjustments—specifically suggested widening and resurfacing works intended to improve the footpath—the current application separates itself by focusing entirely on a change of legal status with no accompanying structural adaptations.
What are the main concerns raised by local representatives?
Despite the absence of physical engineering work or structural changes in the new proposal, elected officials have voiced reservations regarding the long-term implications of granting bridleway access. Cllr Alan Radford, representing Labour in the Woodside Ward, outlined his apprehensions in a formal statement prepared for the Town Council’s consideration.
Cllr Alan Radford stated that while there were no physical adjustments in this latest application, the resultant increase in equestrian traffic on the route may present its own issues. Furthermore, Cllr Alan Radford described the proposal as “a threat to our historic environment”.
The dialogue highlights ongoing local sensitivities surrounding heritage preservation and the management of shared public access routes within the Horsforth area.
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Background of the particular development
The application concerning the ‘Roman Road’ footpath in Horsforth represents a growing trend across the United Kingdom where historic paths and greenways are subject to Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications. Walkers, equestrians, and cyclists frequently petition local authorities and organizations like the British Horse Society to legally recognize older routes under modern access rights.
The route in question, positioned around Lee Lane East, St Margaret’s Road, and Westbrook Lane, holds considerable local significance due to its heritage. Past attempts to alter its status underscore the historical friction often found between maintaining the rustic, preserved nature of legacy footpaths and accommodating multi-user recreational transit such as horse riding.
Prediction: How this development can affect the local community and path users
If the Definitive Map Modification Order is ultimately approved, the legal reclassification of the footpath to a bridleway will permanently establish shared rights of way for equestrians alongside traditional pedestrians. For the local community in Horsforth, this could lead to increased usage of the Roman Road by horse riders, which may necessitate future discussions regarding path maintenance, surface wear, and visitor etiquette to balance pedestrian safety with equestrian access.
While proponents view such orders as vital for expanding non-motorized rural connectivity, critics like local councillors fear that higher traffic volumes could accelerate wear and tear on a sensitive historic corridor. Ultimately, the decision will set a precedent for how historic local pathways are managed and protected against competing community interests in the region.
