From Tricia Merrifield, chair, IW Bridleways Group and and area BHS ABO, Newport: On Saturday, November 28, when a new bridge installed by Island Roads on the the Old Railway Line near Alverstone became available for use, it officially made the section of National Cycle Route 23 from Alverstone to Sandown safely available for equestrian use. This ended many years of frustration for horse and pony riders in the immediate area who had been barred from using it as the old iron bridge was not considered to be safe for horse and pony riders to negotiate. In fact, it was not really fit for purpose for cyclists and walkers either, especially family groups, parents with double buggies and mobility vehicles. So this is an improvement for all user groups.