Strawberry Line

2nd April 2009 - SAFETY FIRST

'SAFETY FIRST is reason why horses and cycles don't mix

Bath Chronicle Thursday, April 09, 2009

I feel it is important to respond to the letter in the Chronicle on April 2 from Caroline Clayden headed 'No basis for banning horses from the Greenway'.
In my opinion it contains misleading statements and the photograph that accompanied the letter was by no means representative of parts of the route from which horses are to be banned.
Since a fatal accident to a local cyclist, who was kicked in the head by a horse, we at Bath Cycling Club have adopted a procedure on coming across horses to make sure it is safe to pass by and this has been appreciated by equestrians.
The reason the council decided to stop the trial of horse-riders on a stretch of the Norton Greenway path was because lengths of it do not comply with any recommendations of either Sustrans or the Government.
There is a length of the relevant section of the Greenway path that in places is only 1.8 metres wide with no verges, a high leylandii hedge on one side and a 1.7 metal security fence with sharp spikes at the top on the other side.
Sustrans (the acknowledged experts in the design and planning of these paths) have an ideal for paths shared between cyclists and pedestrians (no equestrians) of 2 metres minimum with 3m preferred plus 0.5m verges each side. So this section of the Greenway path falls far short of that – even without considering equestrians.
The Sustrans published ideal for shared use with equestrians is 5m and their absolute minimum is 3m plus verges. Government recommendations for new paths (TA90) are similar but it has no recommendations for multi-use paths. I cannot therefore square these facts with Caroline Clayden's letter.
The health and environmental benefits of cycling are well known and both central and local government are encouraging people to cycle. It is vital that young children (and adults returning to cycling) have somewhere safe to learn, as my children did on the Bath-Bitton path. Our fear is that the very real risk of serious injury or death from problems will deter parents from taking their children on these paths.
I was interested to hear Cllr Tom Warren's statement at the recent council meeting. He told the meeting about his international career in show jumping and eventing as background to his knowledge of horses and their use. But although he understood the needs of the horse-riders, he believed that horses sharing cycle paths with cyclists was a recipe for disaster. Horses can hear cars and other motor vehicles but cannot hear cyclists who can appear from nowhere and 'spook' the horses
He asked the meeting to think about a real-life situation where a pram or pushchair would be along with the horse on the same path and he also said he would not allow his children to cycle on the shared paths with the horses.
Bath Cycling Club is definitely not anti-equestrian – we appreciate they need safe routes, too. However, Sustrans advised me that equestrians make up just two per cent of users on multi-use paths so it is therefore vital that the 98 per cent majority of users are not put at risk or deterred from using these paths by allowing equestrian use where it is not safe to do so.                           
NIGEL SHERWEN Bath Cycling Club, Bath

 

The debate over whether to allow horses to share certain footpaths in our area with walkers and cyclists remains as emotive as ever.
As the local ward councillors for Midsomer Norton North we feel the situation needs to be clarified, following the very strong comments – containing a number of very questionable statements – made in a Chronicle letter last week.
Our first and main concern with this issue has always been that of safety – the safety of the many walkers, cyclists, children and local residents who enjoy using the Greenway running through residential areas in this part of Midsomer Norton.
Let us be clear. There is absolutely no problem with horse-riders using pathways and bridleways where there is ample room or through the open countryside. The problem arises when any footpath is as narrow as the specific stretch of Greenway running through this residential community space.
During the trial period in which horse-riders were permitted to share use of this path, many local residents came to us with serious concerns over the safety of their children playing on the Greenway when horses were using it too. Professional equestrians and dedicated cyclists also highlighted concerns to us that horses can frequently be 'spooked' by unexpected bikes or family pets coming towards them.
When the footpath is as narrow as the stretch in question there is little room to move out of the way and these concerns had to be acted upon.
The cross-party scrutiny panel which thoroughly and objectively reviewed the matter, listened carefully to the arguments, including those put forward by the writer of last week's letter. It was ultimately concluded that this short part of the Greenway is unsuitable for horse-riders, who of course remain free – indeed encouraged – to use miles of other more appropriate sections of the footpath network.
Local residents have welcomed the fact that the Greenway will now be free for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, dog-walkers and children to use once again. We firmly support the totally democratic decision to remove horses from this footpath and welcome the fact our local families' concerns were properly listened to.
To call for yet another expensive inquiry would seem to be mere petulance and will not change the proper considerations that were given to issues of public safety

                                                                                                                                       
CLLR BARRY MACRAE (Con, Midsomer Norton North) CLLR SHIRLEY STEEL (Con, Midsomer Norton North), Bath

 

According to guidance provided by Sustrans, accommodating equestrians, cyclists and pedestrians on multi-use paths would need paths to be constructed up to 5m wide. This compares with the 3m width normally recommended for pedestrians and cyclists. Consequently providing for equestrians may significantly increase the cost of some cycle/pedestrian projects and may lead to some pedestrian/cycle schemes not being implemented

 

Hazardous Substances - Shropshire Council

E.Coli/Salmonella, which is carried by most types of animals and birds, can be transmitted to humans by contact with horse droppings. Owners should clear up after all their animals (dogs,horses etc) and not put others at risk. Hygiene is essential to ensure safe paths, particularly for very vulnerable people, such as the elderly, disabled, and children. 

"Some Councils require local riding establishments or commercial livery stables to undertake clearing of particularly well-used routes" MCTT 

 

www.thisissomerset.co.uk

DOG mess is blighting a North Somerset beauty spot and creating a health risk.
The situation is so bad on the Strawberry Line that a team intending to spray each unpleasant deposit with fluorescent paint to highlight the problem used a whole can within 30 metres.
A joint initiative between Yatton PACT (Partners and Community Together) and North Somerset Council will target selfish dog owners during National Poop Scoop week.
It runs from Monday to Sunday, June 22-28, and officials will be issuing on-the-spot fines to anyone failing to clean up dog mess during that week.
By law it is a dog owner's responsibility to clean up after their animal. Failure to do so can lead to a £75 fine or even a prosecution.
 The North Somerset Youth Offending Team logged 63 instances in the first section of the walk at Yatton station as part of its work highlighting the issue.
If you know of someone who does not clean up after their dog you can report them by ringing the Environmental Protection Team at North Somerset Council on 01275 884882 giving their name and address, or a car registration number.

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