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Equestrian
Crossings
by Morag Gibson
Accidents involving ridden horses can be very serious
for all concerned, and the reduction of the potential
hazard by the provision of a road crossing facility
should be considered. However, it should not be assumed
that the provision of a crossing alone would necessarily
lead to a reduction in road accidents—much also depends
on the design of facilities and the intrinsic safety of
the site.
According to information received in a Traffic Advisory
Leaflet from the Department of Transport there are
several options open to installers once a decision has
been made to install an equestrian crossing. According
to the Department of Transport “an equestrian crossing
can be for horses and riders alone, or combined with
cycle and/or pedestrian facilities”. This information
brings me to the question: if they are readily available
to use on their own, and in conjunction with others, why
are not more being installed when new routes are planned
or upgraded? I think that it is probably because you,
as our members, are not aware that this can be done and
therefore we, as your local representatives, are unable
to help you.
Hampshire is a large county and we
cannot be aware of all the local upgrading and problems
you are having. So please if there is an area of
concern in your locality, let us know. Further
information on equestrian crossings and Traffic Advisory
Leaflets are available from the Department of
Transport’s website
www.dft.gov.uk/local
transport/traffic
advisory leaflets. For additional information you can
also e-mail the Traffic Management Division at
www.traffic.signals@dft.gsi.gov.uk
or ring 0207 944 2478.
We will never stop accidents altogether, but if we all
try to pull in the same direction we could help to make
our hacking times safer, and with the provision of a
safe crossing area between off road routes, our time
spent on the road could be reduced.
(Information on
equestrian crossings taken from Traffic Advisory Leaflet
3/03 published by the Traffic Advisory Unit) |
