Malvern Hills Act 1995

16 Regulation of horse-riding on the Malvern Hills

(1) If, in the opinion of the Conservators, it is necessary to do so to preserve the natural aspect of the Malvern Hills, or to prevent the injury or disfigurement thereof, or to protect the use of the Malvern Hills as an open space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public, they may from time to time—

(a) by notices or direction signs posted at such places on the Malvern Hills as they think fit, restrict or prohibit the riding or exercising of horses on the Malvern Hills or any part or parts of the Malvern Hills for such period as may be reasonably necessary; and

(b) give directions to the owners of horses which are, or are intended to be, let to members of the public for hire or reward as to the tracks on the Malvern Hills which those horses may use, whilst being so let, and those owners shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that only those tracks are so used.

(2) The Conservators may make byelaws providing that any person who, without the authority of the Conservators and without reasonable excuse, contravenes a notice or direction sign posted in pursuance of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above or, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction given under paragraph (b) of the said subsection shall be guilty of an offence and subsections (4) to (7) of section 10 (Byelaws) of the Act of 1930 shall apply to byelaws made under this subsection as if references in the said subsections (4) to (7) to “this section” included references to this subsection.

(3) (a) Nothing in this section shall authorise the Conservators to restrict or prohibit the lawful use of any bridleway shown on the definitive map and statement for any area of the county of Hereford and Worcester which includes any part of the Malvern Hills.

(b) In this subsection “bridleway” shall have the meaning given by section 66 of the [1981 c. 69.] Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and “definitive map and statement” means the definitive map and statement operative under Part III of that Act.