Hayling Billy Trail - Horse Riding Segregation

- Thu 15th Jun 2006

Mr Yinnon Ezra
Director of Recreation and Heritage
Hampshire County Council
Montisfont Court
High Street
Winchester SO23 8ZB

          26 May 2006

Hayling Billy Trail - Horse Riding Segregation

Several of my constituents on Hayling Island have approached me about the threat to the wooden barrier down the Hayling Billy Trail which segregates horse riders from pedestrians and cyclists.  Apparently there is a proposal by Hampshire County Council to remove the safety rail because there is not funding properly to maintain it.  These constituents are understandably very concerned about this.  The safety rail was erected about sixteen years ago because of the real need.  When horses could use the entire track the whole path was described as being in winter "just one expanse of mud".  It eventually hardened through the summer but with lumps of roughened mud which made it hard for cyclists and pedestrians.

There were also very strong safety arguments for the rail.  Some children are worried about horses.  Some horses do not like bikes.  A bolting horse would be a real threat to walkers and children so trying to segregate horses from cyclists and leisure walkers would seem to make sense.  Indeed, in today's world with its obsession with sometimes quite absurdly fussy safety measures I do find it extraordinary that Hampshire County Council is proposing an arrangement where a busy but quite narrow route would have horses intermingled with cyclists and pedestrians. 

It is of course true that parts of the trail are not divided but these are much less heavily used by horses, are wider, and have a much firmer surface.  The original decision sixteen years ago was not stupid.  The fence was put in areas where the ground was softer, the path was less wide and use by horses was more intensive.  The fact that you do not have the barriers up the entire length of the track is not an argument for removing them in the part of the Trail where they are most needed.

I do appreciate all the financial pressures which Hampshire County Council are under but if there were any prospect of preserving the barriers I am sure it really would be of great value to local people.

I am copying this letter to Councillor Ted Gale and to Councillor Andy Lenaghan.

DAVID WILLETTS MP
Copy:  Councillor Ted Gale
Councillor Andy Lenaghan

By forum user, HIbot