Cheshunt A10 bridge route

Paths Greenways Bridleways Tracks
PG: OBJECTS: PROMOTION: Cheshunt A10 Bridge Route (route under development)		H251

Annotated map reproduced courtesy of Googlemaps.	This route starts from the bridleway bridge over the New River, and heads generally eastwards to and over the bridge over the A10, ending on Theobalds Lane (public road). This route is under development for horse riders. It can already be used by walkers and cyclists. The pale blue route opens when the Broxbourne Borough Council confirms that the physical works needed have taken place. The orange route opens when the County Council certify that the physical bridge works have taken place.			Cheshunt 13 bridleway bridge Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021
Sign East of BW 13 bridge Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021	Heading East from BW 13 bridge Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021	Start of Bridge over A10 Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021	Bridge over A10 Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021	East end of bridge over A10 Photo: Phil Wadey, 11 Apr 2021
In 2020, as part of the development of land between the B198 and the A10 bridge route, Broxbourne Borough Council made an order stopping up the section of Cheshunt 16 shown on the plan and replacing it with two paths: one from Cheshunt 75 (a bridleway) to the bridge route, and the second along the bridge route itself. This was directly contrary to all the work that has been happening to ensure that the bridge route was a non-motorised multi-user route, for walkers, riders and cyclists. Objections were made to the order. On 10 Dec 2021, a meeting was held at the council offices for the user group representatives, developers and council officers to discuss the objected-to order and consider the steps needed to ensure the paths reflect the promises and the orders record this successfully. A way forward was agreed by all: a new draft order is in preparation by Broxbourne Borough Council. The new order will stop up Cheshunt 16 footpath, and create a bridleway from Cheshunt 75 (Theobalds Lane) generally north to the A10 bridge route, then west along the route to meet the bridleway created by Thames Water over the New River. A footpath would be created from this bridleway eastwards over the A10 bridge. There would be a parallel public path creation agreement creating that route as bridleway and executed by all relevant parties. The agreement would then be held safely by the county council to be brought into force as soon as the works to the bridge to allow horses are completed. 1 Feb 2022: Broxbourne Borough Council made the order covering points (1) and (2). The objection period closed on 11 Mar 22. 10 Mar 2022: Hertfordshire County Council published the creation order covering point (3). The objection period closed on 7 Apr 22. 12 Mar 2022: It is believed that there are no remaining objections to either order. We await confirmation of the diversion order and confirmation there are no objections to the creation order. 25 Apr 2022: The diversion order was confirmed. It will come into effect when Broxbourne Borough Council certify that the required works have taken place. 18 Aug 2022: The developer advises that they are still working with the county council to achieve technical approval for the crossing of the brook so that they can complete the bridleway to Theobalds Lane. The remainder of the works are in place. 2 Jan 2023: BHS asked developer how the county council approval of the brook crossing was going. 2 Jan 2023: BHS asked HCC when the creation order would be confirmed. (Noting it doesn't come into effect until any bridge works are completed.) [Still waiting for response on 29 Apr 23, so reminder sent.] 25 Jan 2023: Developer advises that the contractor is on site and the programme is for the works to be completed by May next year. 27 Jul 2023: Confirmation of the bridleway creation order is advertised. High Court challenge period closes 7 Sep 23. 5 Jan 2025: Email sent to developer and council asking about progress. It's important to certify that the works have been done so that the path can go on this year's consolidated definitive map.

Legal History
29 Jul 1959: The Cheshunt (Theobalds Lane) Footpath Diversion Order, 1959 (confirmed 6 Jan 1960) affected Cheshunt 16. HCC reference DM2/035.
22 Dec 2010: Public Path Creation Agreement between Hertfordshire County Council and Thames Water Utilities Ltd created a bridleway over the New River.
20 Sep 2019: HCC consultation on behalf of Broxbourne BC regarding diversion of Cheshunt 16 FP.
28 Feb 2020: HCC revised consultation which would divert Cheshunt 16 to be a new BW route and record the A10 bridge route as a bridleway. Support sent.
6 Aug 2020: The Broxbourne Borough Council (Cheshunt 16) Stopping Up Order 2020 would, if confirmed, put a footpath along half the A10 Bridge Route. Objection sent.
13 Jul 2021: The Broxbourne Borough Council (Cheshunt 16) Stopping Up Order and Alternative Footpath 2021 would, if confirmed, put a footpath along the A10 Bridge Route. Objection sent 13 Aug 2021.
10 Dec 2021: Meeting at Council Offices to discuss the order and what steps were needed to remove objections.
1 Feb 2022: The Broxbourne Borough Council (Cheshunt 16) Stopping Up Order 2022 (confirmed 25 Apr 2022) stopped up Cheshunt 16 FP and created an agreed bridleway from Theobalds Lane to Cheshunt 13 BW.
10 Mar 2022: The Hertfordshire County Council (Cheshunt bridleway) Creation Order 2022, made on 17 Feb 22, was advertised. The close of the objection period is 7 Apr 22. HCC reference BRX/37/CRE.
27 Jul 2023: HCC advertised the confirmation (on 26 May 2022) of the bridleway creation order. It comes into effect when the physical works are certified as complete.

Definitive Statement (4 Dec 2015)
Path: [Cheshunt] 16. Status: Footpath. Definitive Map sheet: 80
FP starts from BR61 (Bury Green Road) 200 yards south of Bury Green Farm, path runs on the north side of Broom Hills Wood. Path then leads in southeast direction across field to footbridge over New River crosses FP12, west side of New River is protected by iron railings, entrance via a swing gate. East side of New River is again protected by iron railings. Path recommences from FP13 100 yds S yards then turns eastwards to connect to BR75 (Theobalds Lane) at TL 3498 0114.
Note that the statement has not yet been updated to show the new bridleway and removal of swing gate.
Prospective Change to Definitive Statement (from 22 Dec 2010)
Path: [Cheshunt] 13. Status: Bridleway. Definitive Map sheet: 80
Part of Cheshunt FP 13 is upgraded to bridleway and new bridleway is created commencing from the junction with the new footpath and cycleway to the east of the New River at point A on the Plan (TL 3484 0126), running west, crossing the bridge over the New River to link with the new bridleway to the west of the New River at point B on the Plan (TL 3481 0126).
Width: 4.5 metres
Limitations: None
Prospective Change to Definitive Statement (when 2022 diversion order comes into effect)
Path: [Cheshunt] [number to be advised]. Status: Bridleway. Definitive Map sheet: 80
A public bridleway commencing at a junction with Cheshunt Bridleway 75 (Theobalds Lane) at TL 3500 0114 (Point C on the Order Plan) and running generally north north west, parallel to the access road, for approximately 50 metres to TL 3498 0118 (Point D on the Order Plan). Then continuing generally north east, parallel to the access road, for approximately 80 metres to a track running generally east/west at TL 3502 0125 (Point E on the Order Plan). Then continuing generally west along the track for approximately 185 metres to the eastern bank of the New River and a junction with Cheshunt 16 at TL 3483 0126 (Point F on the Order Plan).
Width: 3 metres from TL 3500 0114 (Point C on the Order Plan) to TL 3498 0118 (Point D on the Order Plan)
5 metres from TL 3498 0118 (Point D on the Order Plan) to TL 3483 0126 (Point F on the Order Plan)
Limitations: None

Maintainability
Cheshunt 16 is maintainable at the public expense because it was a footpath or bridleway existing before 30 Apr 1959.
The bridleway on Thames Water land is maintainable at the public expense by virtue of s.36(2)(d) Highways Act 1980 as it was created by a Public Path Creation Agreement. [Dedicated by PPCA]
The bridleway created by the 2022 order is maintainable at the public expense by virtue of s.36(2)(d) Highways Act 1980. [Public Path Diversion Order]