NATIONAL park chiefs have reined in work on a Hampshire bridleway which sparked outrage from hundreds of horse riders.

Equestrians have claimed victory against resurfacing which they warned would threaten wildlife and wreck the much-loved old Meon railway line.

Large parts of a  £310,000 revamp have been halted after safety pleas from a senior councillor – but authorities have stayed quiet on whether or how it will resume.

Much tree felling, mud clearing and resurfacing has already taken place on the 10 mile path, from Wickham to West Meon. South Downs National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council started work in September.

But campaigners hope this will be a chance to invite further public feedback and craft a scheme which suits horse riders as well as dog-walkers, cyclists and carriage drivers.

They have previously warned a new surface of stone scalping would keep horses to a walk and create a cycling “race track”.

Imogen Hill, who garnered more than 1,000 signatures for a petition against the work, said pressure was “brought to bear” on the authorities.

“We’re really, really pleased about it,” she said.

“They’ve had no option but to stop the work. It’s the result of a campaign by ordinary people so it’s a real victory for us.

“We’re hoping that this is going to restart a public consultation. Nobody should be able to get away with laying hard core in South Downs National Park, let alone 10 miles of it.”

Workers are expected to continue with safety improvements this week after Cllr Sean Woodward, the county council’s transport chief, warned exposed holes left on the bridleway were “potentially lethal”.

Campaigners on the Save Our Bridleway Facebook page, which has more than 2,400 followers, are now claiming the councils should have applied for planning permission.

A South Downs National Park Authority spokesman denied this. Hampshire County Council did not provide comment.