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Horse Riders

Horse Riders

Overview

Horse riders all over the country frequently use Highways Agency bridges to cross motorways and major trunk roads. We work together with the British Horse Society (BHS) and are continually doing our best to ensure that safety requirements are met to make these crossings as user friendly as possible. People use our roads to transport horses by horsebox or lorry and some horses reside next to our roads in fields and stables.

The Highways Agency consult the BHS when designing and building bridges for horse riders, we also have a programme of helping to eliminate Ragwort (a harmful weed to horses and cattle), as well as giving safety advice to horse owners who are transporting their horse on the road network.

The Highways Agency advises drivers to take care when horses are being ridden alongside roads. Horses are unpredictable by nature and road users should treat horses as a potential hazard and expect the unexpected. Horses are easily scared by noise and may panic around fast moving vehicles. Drivers are therefore advised to slow down around horses.

Issues

Horse riding is an important part of daily recreational life, especially in rural areas. However, the standard of facilities to accommodate equestrians, either crossing or riding along the trunk road, is of variable standard.

Heavy traffic and excessive speed can give rise to grave danger and discouragement for horses and their riders.

Our Objectives

To provide improved facilities for horse riders, particularly in terms of crossing the trunk road network.

Actions will include:

  • Establishing, in collaboration with other parties, the particular requirements of horse riders at both ground-level crossings and flyovers.
  • Developing advice for all Highways Agency staff on horse riders facilities.
  • Establishing a strategy for verges which link up bridleways which terminate at the trunk road.
  • Considering how provision for horse riding ‘along’ the trunk road can be made outside the highway boundary.

Top Features

Man Changing Tyre On Horse Box
Is your trailer good to go? Don't take chances with your Horse.
Ragwort
Links to some related current and archived press releases and news stories.
Horse
Links to some useful external websites and documents.