Comment

Representation ID: 168223

Received: 29/07/2019

Respondent: British Horse Society

FIX G RECREATIONAL WALKING, CYCLING AND HORSE RIDING ROUTES

Reasons to include equestrians:
- 2017 equestrian industry contributed £4.3bn to economy. Second largest rural employer.
- Relies on network of safe, off road access to countryside.
- With good design, costs no more.
- Safely and happily share paths less than 3m wide.
- No report of injury to third party by horse.
- Bridleway network is inadequate, fragmented and needs improvement. Shared pedestrian / cycle path fragments.
- Majority of cyclists are male / horse riders are female.
- Mental and physical health benefits. Older women participate.
- Vulnerable road user.

Equestrian accident statistics
UK November 2010 to March 2019 road incidents involving horses:
43 humans died. 315 horses died. 3,757 incidents reported - only 10% of the actual.
East of England one of highest accident rate.

Access provided in SPD helps link fragmented network and enables equestrian route from Cambourne to Coton. Support inclusion of equestrians in plans for any new/improved access. Request perimeter track be considered a Restricted Byway, suitable for carriage drivers.