After a month and no communication, we finally have our response from Cllr Nicky Purse (email nicky.purse@harlow.gov.uk) and we are angry, frustrated and disheartened by her response... and lack of empathy for us, and indeed any other users of Risden Woods.

For those of you who signed because you had been impacted in other ways - i.e. families and those with mobility issues, here is your kind hearted councillors response.

"The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) requires those who provide a public service to ensure that, as far as is reasonable, the service is accessible to disabled people. Due to the SSSI status of Hospital & Risden Woods, it is not possible to alter the terrain and surfacing to enable accessibility, due to the steep gradients and uneven surfaces. Constrains associated with SSSI sites limit the balancing of access with the conservation of our natural heritage.

However, Parndon Wood Nature Reserve which is adjacent to the Hospital and Risden Woods SSSI offers accessibility for all users with access to several key features which include a bird hide, conservation centre, outdoor seating area, cafe, toilets and along some area of permissive footpath."

In other words, you may have limited mobility and little to no transport, but navigate your way down Parsloe Road (again, you may have to dice with death avoiding the parked cars by the link and lack of paving on one side) to the nature reserve - but don't all go at once there is only one disabled bay.

I mean... can you feel the love!

As for us, still trying to avoid a 2.5km road trip on 60mph roads... Well we just have what we now know to be the standard Harlow Council mantra of "Natural England wont allow it, its an SSSI site" which as you can see is a stark contrast to the response from Natural England - It appears someone is lying, and I know where I am placing my bets.

In a final insulting deflection, Cllr Purse has tried to shift the blame and the burden on to Epping Council to find a solution to the issue they have created.

So now we REALLY need your help!

The council have ignored the 1400+ voices here stating that you would prefer horses to be off the roads - That is the contempt they have for your opinions and our riders lives.

So if they want us on the road, that is where we will go... IN LARGE NUMBERS.

We are going to arrange a road ride with as many horses as possible... after all this is entirely legal and we are within our rights to ride on the road. If you would like to join us, on horseback, driving a cart or alongside on foot, we would love to see you, just let me know if you are interested so I can let you know when the ride will be taking place.

I'm not going to lie, this is a set back and I could cry tonight... but tomorrow is another day and we will continue to fight this for as long as we need to.

Thank you again for all your support... It really does mean so much to us on days like today.