HUNDREDS of horse lovers have charged into battle with national park chiefs who are revamping a Hampshire bridleway.

Riders claim the old Meon Valley railway line is being wrecked by resurfacing and tree felling, creating a “dangerous race track” and threatening wildlife.

The 10-mile path from West Meon to Wickham is undergoing a £400,000 makeover by South Downs National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council.

Workers are clearing mud, felling trees and improving drainage, adding wider access points, viewing spots and benches.

But equestrians warn new stone scalping will keep horses to a walk and allow cars to drive down the historic path.

More than 2,000 people joined the online Save Our Bridleway campaign last week in a bid to halt work and reopen consultation.

Now they are urging Hampshire TV star Amanda Holden to join the battle.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge, who grew up in nearby Bishop’s Waltham, is a famous animal-lover and has a history of backing local causes. She was unavailable for comment over the bank holiday weekend.

Daily Echo:

In a letter to councillors posted to the Save Our Bridleway Facebook page, 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 transport chief Cllr Sean Woodward, a keen horse rider, has written to South Downs National Park bosses urging them to postpone the works, which he said pose a “potentially lethal hazard”.

He said: “There seem to be a number of open holes and workings that were to do with the railway that have been exposed and not covered.

“The larger accesses allow cars on to the trail and it is arguably now possible to drive the entire length. This is unacceptable as well as unsafe.”

Council officers have been invited to discuss the issue at a public meeting on April 16 in Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham.

South Downs National Park Authority did not respond to requests for comment.