Issues and Options
Search form responses
Results for The British Horse Society search
New searchGenerally, The Society agrees with the proposed scope of the local plan review.
When addressing climate change it is likely that ‘Active Travel’ will be turned to and increased throughout the Borough. The Society believes, that in delivering any network management it is important that active travel solutions do not exclude equestrians who are the most vulnerable road user. Increasingly: • Off-road routes are being provided for cycling which could benefit equestrians who are also vulnerable road users; and • Surfaces of routes such as bridleways and byways, with rights for riders or carriage drivers, are being changed to facilitate cycling but to the detriment of equestrian access. This is particularly influenced by current funding initiatives making provision for cycling. However, with more awareness in the planning stages, ALL non-motorised vulnerable road users can benefit from all off-road tracks and none need be excluded. Importantly, it is sensible and cost effective to include all who wish to exercise and transport themselves in safety away from the danger and pollution of motor traffic and with care for the environment, rather than only accommodating one section of society.
No comments regarding plan period.
The Society believes that the more urban locations and the rail-based options are less likely to create conflict with equestrianism. East-West rail northern station – this option could negatively impact the Public Rights of Way network available to equestrians depending on its exact location. Dispersed growth and new settlement-based growth are most likely to negatively impact the bridleway and byway networks currently available.
Public Rights of Way especially those for equestrians are key to the delivery of growth in Bedford Borough. Active Travel provision must therefore be embedded in new transport projects in the same way for all modes and should be adopted to provide continuity and improved connectivity of the network for all. Active Travel provision must therefore be embedded in new transport projects in the same way for all Active Travel Provision should be made for all modes of Active Travel including equestrians and no barriers should be created to prevent public routes being enjoyed by as many user groups as possible. Current projects often include safe provision for cyclists and pedestrians, but horse riders are excluded. Horse riders are often required to use the roads because the bridleway network is inadequate. Riders regularly have to use the roads to access PRoWs, and for some the road network may be the only access available to them. The creation of shared cycle / pedestrian or cycle paths on the carriageway or adjacent to the carriageway creates additional danger for equestrians. They are left sandwiched between fast moving traffic on their outside and then additional fast-moving cycle traffic on their inside – sometimes that cycle traffic is two directional. According to Bedford Borough Rights of Way Improvement Plan ‘…walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and horse carriage drivers highlighted that having to use roads can often reduce the enjoyment of the experience of being outdoors due to motorised traffic noise, pollution and spray. They can also feel anxious and pressurised when motorists feel they are inconveniently holding up traffic. These concerns are reinforced by the requests from equestrians and cyclists for more off-road routes. Where possible all new routes created will be to a multiuser status (such as Bridleways) where there are appropriate linkages of the same status.’
The current local plan focuses on urban employment including offices/distribution/manufacturing but does not consider rural employment. The equestrian industry is second largest rural economic sector after agriculture so should be taken into account for the new employment sites located in Bedford Borough.
No comments.
The Society believes if equestrian users are included in Active Travel plans and as part of sustainable modes of transport then this would encourage people to make great use of these modes of transport.
It is our view that the Local Plan, whilst acknowledging to an extent the public rights of way network within the Borough, does not give enough recognition to these as an important leisure amenity as opposed to a transport facility. The bridleway and byway network in the Borough is used by horse riders and carriage drivers largely for leisure and for exercise (of both the rider/driver and the horse). It is an important resource for the physical and mental wellbeing of these equestrians, and indeed their horses. Policy 95 is welcomed in that it addresses the importance of the public rights of way to the residents of the Borough, and point iv) in particular is welcomed by the Society. However, we would ask that two additional paragraphs be added to this policy: • There should be no net loss of public rights of way as a result of any particular development • Public rights of way should retain their existing surface or improved surface suitable for all users of the rights of way and should not be tarmaced or converted into roads This latter point is of particular concern to riders and drivers who use the extensive network of bridleway and byways in and around the proposed Colworth Garden Village. The current masterplan would see much of this network being integrated into the Village access and estate roads. This is not, in the Society’s view, appropriate and we would wish to see these equestrian routes remaining available as soft riding/driving surfaces for horses. We do appreciate that the masterplan is an outline only and that detailed planning considerations will apply in due course but nonetheless we ask that the nature of public rights of way surfaces be addressed in this important policy document. There is no mention of horse-riding within Section 5 of the Plan - research undertaken by University of Brighton and Plumpton College and published in British Horse Society Health Benefits of Horse Riding identified that horse riding is moderate level exercise that is especially well placed to play a valuable role in initiatives to encourage increased physical activity amongst women. (A copy of the report can be obtained from http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/health-benefits ). Whilst we accept that horse riding is rarely seen as transport these days (apart maybe from the odd ride to a pub or café), the importance of horse riding as a form of exercise for many of the rural residents of the Borough should not be ignored.
No comments.
