Horse Riding Strategy
Introduction
1.1 As part of Cheshire East Council's Engineering Service
Best Value Review Action Plan the need for a review of provision
for horses and their riders has been identified. It is proposed to
achieve this through the development of a county Equestrian
Strategy. Such a Strategy will set out a series of principles for
the development of a horse riding and carriage driving network
within Cheshire and how to accommodate horses, carriages and their
riders/drivers on the highway network.
1.2 Three of the main principles of a best value review are to
challenge, compare and consult. These aspects will be key elements
of the development of Cheshire's Equestrian Strategy.
The Strategy will complement the Public Rights of Way
Improvement Plan that Cheshire East Council will develop
as part of the requirement of the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2000. Linkages to the Local Transport Plan will also be identified in
order to promote "equestrian friendly" schemes.
1.3 In producing the Equestrian Strategy it must be borne in
mind that Cheshire East Council will have to operate within
its existing financial constraints. Therefore, if the Strategy is
to be effective any proposals must be realistic and commensurate
with any assessed safety risk. However, the ultimate aim of the
Strategy will be to see the development of an extensive off-road
network of bridle ways throughout Cheshire and the mitigation of
conflict between horse riders and carriage drivers with other users
where the use of the highway network is unavoidable. Such an aim
would be achieved through a partnership approach.
1.4 In conjunction with Bridleway groups, work has already begun
on the Strategy and a guidance note on the use of verges has been
produced.
Principles to be adopted within the Horse Riding Strategy
2.1 In developing an Equestrian Strategy for the county a number
of overarching principles will be adopted as follows:
a) that horse riding and carriage driving should be promoted on
a network of traffic-free or low traffic flow routes;
b) that in developing such routes they should be safety audited
where they would join or cross the highway and a risk assessment
should be undertaken of the remaining section before it is promoted
as a route;
c) tolerance should be promoted between all road users and users
of the Public Rights of Way network and
there should be an emphasis on promoting personal responsibility
towards safety by all road users;
d) practices and systems of Cheshire East Council will
be reviewed to identify the impact on horse riders/carriage
drivers.
