PROTESTERS marched through the streets of Wickham on Sunday to show their opposition to changes to a bridleway.

They oppose the revamping of the trail that runs ten miles from Wickham to West Meon along the line of the old Meon Valley railway.

The demonstrators say the restoration work by Hampshire County Council and South Downs National Park, estimated at £300,000, makes the bridleway dangerous for the many horse riders who use the path.

More than 100 people followed a tractor around the village on Sunday afternoon marching to the chant of “What are we? Hacked off!”

The campaigners argue that the route has been used by dog walkers, nature lovers, cyclists, horse riders and runners for years with no major issues.

One demonstrator, Mike Garland, said the path was now an unsightly "industrialised surface of harsh sub-base and scalpings, which in the view of many people ruined this secluded tranquil trail, and certainly made it unpleasant for horse riders and dog walkers.”

Work on the line has been stopped due to the protests. Senior county councillors have been divided with Cllr Sean Woodward, an executive member at the county council, urging work to be delayed for more consultation.

The work has included laying new surfacing, felling trees, improving drainage, creating viewing spots and benches.

The horse riders say the new scalping will mean that horses can only walk and will enable cars to illegally drive along the route.

More than 2,500 people have supported an online campaign. Several hundred attended a public meeting in Wickham Community Centre last month.

Julia Arnold, from Swanmore, said: “This is destroying the woodland, wildlife habitat, urbanising the railway and opening up access for motorised vehicles, bikes [and] horse drawn carts whether allowed or not.

“It will also become a health and safety issue as a dangerous race track that only a few can use and add to the statistics of injuries.”

County council executive member for culture, recreation and countryside Keith Chapman said much positive feedback about the new surface had been received and about the opening of the trail to more people.

He said the council plans to create nine sections of soft verges, for a length of about a mile and a half, aimed at horse riders.

Cllr Chapman said: “There is a small group of horse riders who have raised concerns about the work being done on the surfacing. We have listened to these concerns and are proposing to make some soft verges.”