Council refuses equestrian highway security indicators claiming drivers might be ‘confused’

A council has turned down a rider’s request to put in highway security indicators highlighting the Freeway Code steerage on methods to cross horses, stating that drivers might be “confused” by the recommendation.

Carla Claver contacted Suffolk County Council to ask for one of many British Horse Society’s (BHS) Useless Sluggish indicators to be put in at Mill Road Lane, Gislingham, having seen photos of the indicators in different areas of the nation.

The indicators give the Freeway Code’s steerage on how drivers ought to cross horses; at not more than 10mph and at two metres’ distance.

Carla informed H&H that the 30mph highway is used continuously by riders.

“Drivers use the highway as a cut-through between the Bury St Edmunds A143 and the Eye A140 so there may be numerous site visitors typically,” she mentioned.

“I noticed an image of the indicators on Fb and thought they’d be a great way to coach drivers. We’ve had a few near-misses, and only recently I used to be strolling a younger horse in hand and I needed to cease a automotive charging in the direction of me. It was an aged individual, who I believe simply noticed a horse and thought they needed to put their foot all the way down to get previous. So many drivers don’t know methods to cross horses.”

On 8 February, Suffolk County Council responded to say it might not assist the usage of the indicators in Suffolk owing to “the blended messages they supply drivers in regards to the pace restrict”.

“They could additionally distract drivers as a result of data on the backside of the poster indicators,” learn the response.

Carla mentioned she was upset with the response.

“The council is saying the indicators might confuse drivers and make them go slower than 30mph, however that’s the entire level,” she mentioned.

Carla went again to the council to contest this, and obtained an extra response that mentioned the indicators usually are not recognised below the Site visitors Indicators and Common Instructions 2016.

“Additionally any poster signal shouldn’t be mistaken as an indication by drivers. The poster being instructed has a pace roundel which signifies 10mph, on roads with a pace restrict of 30mph or increased, and quite a few branded photos,” learn the response.

“As well as, Suffolk County Council doesn’t have a finances to put in, keep or take away posters. If a buyer believes automobiles are dashing on the part of highway then I might recommend they contact SafeCam or the Safer Neighbourhood Group at Suffolk Police.”

H&H contacted the council and was informed that the data on the BHS signal “instantly conflicts with the pace restrict signal on this location and will distract or confuse drivers”. The council added that it welcomes working with the BHS in different methods, similar to social media to advertise the significance of safer driving round horses.

When H&H queried what was meant by “instantly conflicts” when the BHS signal is giving the Freeway Code steerage – which applies it doesn’t matter what the pace restrict is in an space – the council mentioned that it doesn’t have any finances to put in and keep any further indicators. The council spokesman added that the council leads a mission referred to as Quiet Lanes Suffolk which goals to profit everybody within the county by creating “quiet lanes” to encourage extra strolling, biking, and using. This mission has concerned the set up of greater than 300 miles of quiet lanes, and 1,100 highway indicators.

BHS director of security Alan Hiscox informed H&H that by utilizing the incident reporting knowledge recorded on the society’s Horse i app, the BHS is ready to “determine hotspot areas” the place there have been a excessive variety of equine-related incidents.

“In these areas, we work intently with the native highways authorities to erect non permanent data posters which purpose to tell drivers methods to cross horses safely on the roads,” he mentioned.

“These data posters may be funded by the BHS. There are a number of various kinds of posters obtainable, which may be chosen by the freeway authority to suit the wants of the native space. Now we have developed many profitable partnerships with native authorities throughout the nation and this initiative has efficiently highlighted potential highway issues of safety confronted by equestrians.

“We might welcome a dialog with Suffolk County Council about how we are able to work collectively to enhance security for horses and riders on Suffolk’s roads.”

You may also be all for:

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and reviews, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and reviews in addition to different advantages.

H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call only a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to residence. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.