Surrey CC has published notice of confirmation of the diversion of bridleway 65. The existing route cuts across the south-eastern corner of the gallops on Six Mile Hill, either side of here. The diverted route follows the hard track around the bottom of the gallops (currently used by nearly all hack riders), then continues up close to Epsom Lane North, but on the other side of the hedge and the railings.
It’s a win-win for hack riders, because the original alignment remains available as a hack ride, despite the diversion, while the northern extension provides a new outlet through the railings here:
and out onto Epsom Lane North, emerging opposite Royal Drive.
The original alignment of bridleway 65 seems to follow what used to be the southern boundary of the downs, until the training area was extended south to take in some of the adjacent fields some decades ago. Both the bridleway and the borough boundary (with the borough of Reigate and Banstead) continued to follow the old boundary to the downs, and even now, the jurisdiction of the conservators stops at the borough boundary.
