Partnership is the key to achieving the National Bridleroute Network. Although substantial progress has been made in some pilot schemes by relying on locally-raised funds from riders, the good will of farmers and landowners, and influencing the priorities of the local authorities, to develop the network other sources of funding need to be identified. In each case, it will be important to demonstrate how the aims of partner bodies are achieved by spending money on path improvement and creation. Potential partners, and examples where available, are given below.

The development officers for Objective 5b and Objective 2 funding. The European Union has designated some parts of the United Kingdom as in need of assistance for regenerating the local economy. The development of equestrian tourism brings money into the area.

Example Objective 5b funding to the value of £182,000 was made available to the 'Tracks in the Sand' project on the Norfolk/Suffolk borders. [1] The project aims to create an improved network of countryside routes for walkers, cyclists and riders, including themed trails and picnic sites.

Local authority projects can make significant contributions to the National Bridleroute Network.
Example: Peterborough City Council and the Peterborough Environment City Trust have Millennium Commission funding of £5,500,000 for the Peterborough Green Wheel. This will be a brand new network of cycleways, footpaths and bridleways encircling the entire City of Peterborough. Construction of Phase 2 is underway and a number of new bridleway bridges are being constructed. [2] While Millennium Commission funding is not available for new projects, the National Lottery may be able to assist via the other grant awarding bodies.

The regional Tourist Boards may be able to assist with promotion and publicity.

Example: The regional Tourist Board is actively promoting cycle tourism in the East of England. They have held a conference for all those involved in cycling tourism, and have mailed 30,000 copies of their 'England's Cycling Country' brochure depicting the charms of the East of England for cycle tourism, in the UK, Germany and Holland. [3] Once enough of the network has been created and signed, it is likely that the tourist boards will assist the promotion of equestrian tourism too.

Pilot schemes for the promotion of non-motorised forms of transport can often be a source of some parts of the Network. The Countryside Agency's Greenways and Quiet Roads projects aim to create safer routes for walkers, riders and cyclists.
Example: The Watling Chase Community Forest area is a Greenways pilot area in south Hertfordshire. One of the new paths to trial methods of reducing perceived conflict between walkers, riders and cyclists is the Merry Hill Greenway (left). This is a 6m wide path of which 3m is hardened and 3m is grass. It forms part of the London Orbital Bridleroute (H25), and is a key route for children cycling to school.

The British Horse Society has signed a Concordat with the Woodland Trust [4] in order to promote responsible equestrian access on their land. In the East of England Region, paths have been dedicated as bridleways where this is consistent with the local woodland management. The Trust often holds appeals for money to enable it to buy old woods and land for new woods; the British Horse Society is happy to support these appeals by mailshot to its members where needed bridleways will be created once the land is purchased.

References
1. '5b Now', the newsletter of the East Anglian Objective 5b Regional Working Group, Issue 2, Spring 1999.
2. 'Green Wheeling', the newsletter of the Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel, Issue 6, August 1999.
3. 'England's Cycling Country News', East of England Tourist Board, Issue 2, June 1997.
4. British Horse Society and Woodland Trust Concordat, 17 November 1998. Copies available from BHS.