SO, Mrs Parsons from Hemyock is ?saddened? that the proposal for a new bridleway from Thorndon Cross to Halwill Junction has caused fury amongst those of us who own the land (Letters, October 6). To the British Horse Society it might look like a ?disused railway line?, but to those of us who are affected, it?s not disused - it?s gardens where our children play, ground where we keep our own horses or farm livestock, or run our businesses and, what?s more, it?s property for which we have paid and, in some cases, are still working hard to pay mortgages on. For heaven?s sake, it hasn?t been a railway line for 35 years or so since Beeching axed it. And how silly to argue that a new bridleway is needed because the A3079 is a horror story for ?horses, bikes and walkers and they don?t use it?. The same is true for the M5, or any busy road come to that. The fact is we?re blessed in this part of West Devon with many other safe places to ride horses without hacking along the A3079. Look at how it would work. Even if a new bridleway went ahead, a rider would still need to cross the A3079 to or from those eight or so existing bridleways which lie to the south. No, Mrs Parsons, if you and your nervous riders are so anxious to travel to Halwill in a straight line and don?t want to meander around the quiet lanes and existing off-road tracks, use your car. Consider why we are angry: People who actually own and use the land have not been asked for their opinion; the parish councils have not been consulted and even the county council has indicated there is little or no compensation available for seizing a right of way. No, let?s face it, this is a bad scheme. It will not benefit the local community; it comes at horrendous cost if it is to meet Devon County Council?s policy of multi-use for new rights of way, and there are serious concerns about how the scheme has been promoted by the British Horse Society and a few local riders when it will also seriously affect several horse owners who own part of the land. Paul Kemeny Coxwall Farm Broadbury