Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2017 | Page 87

Equestrian
Bagwich Lane, used everyday by horse riders, is still extremely
slippery even several years after being resurfaced
dialogue with the Island’s equine
community and we will continue
to discuss the needs of horse riders
and – where practicable – take
appropriate action in partnership
with the Isle of Wight Council.”
However, the question that
needs to be asked is, what
specification was given to Island
Roads by central government for
resurfacing our roads within the
PFI? The law clearly states that
all highways must be suitable
for ALL road users, including
horses, motorcyclists and
cyclists. Did central government
take into account horse riders
when deciding on the national
specification for the new road
surface? If not, then it’s hard to
place blame at the door of Island
Roads or Isle of Wight Council.
This is not a recent problem, and
dates as far back as November
2014, when a forum was called
by the then MP Andrew Turner,
Ben Chilvers, a leading equestrian
veterinary Director and Jonathon
Core, an expert road pavement
consultant to investigate the issue.
Jonathon Core commented at
the time “All design and testing
is very much geared to skid
resistance of wheeled vehicles,
which was also confirmed by
the veterinary expert. We heard
from George Batten, previous
Chairman of ADEPT, and Stephen
Child, co-author of guidance to
Local Authorities, who advised
that certain Authorities use certain
surface courses and others specific
alternatives, some apply a grit
and some do not; but there was
no definitive solution for horses
during the period just after laying
of asphalt – some put out warning
signs and some do not. Mr Batten
advised that Devon County
Council have a very low number of
bridle paths and have brought in a
route- by-route based strategy to
deal with equine risks on an area /
road with close engagement with
the local equine community.
“While this has not come up with
a new solution, the closer working
and understanding has helped
reduce risks. Mr Bill Murphy, of the
Isle of Wight Council, thought this
was a good step forward and said
he would look to develop such a
strategy for the Isle of Wight using
this good practice.”
Also back in November 2014,
following reports of horses
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