Dangerous ride (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dangerous ride

IMPATIENT motorists have left young riders fearing for their lives on a stretch of road which provides the only route to a safe bridlepath.

For Mhairie Tooey, 20, and dozens of other horse riders from Burnt Ash, Minchinhampton, the only way to reach the safe bridlepaths at Hyde is to risk riding along the busy A419 Cirencester Road from the Ragged Cot towards Aston Down which has a 60mph speed limit.

The riders told the SNJ this week how motorists blatantly exceed the limit on that stretch of road as well as on the roads around the commons which have been cut to 40mph.

Last summer Mhairie had a near miss when a lorry clipped her mount's legs. She managed to maintain control but is very worried that a serious accident is just waiting to happen.

"There are a lot more children riding along here than ever before," said Mhairie who has been riding since she was a tot.

"It's scary enough as an adult, never mind as a child.

"And there are no signs to say that horses are on the road, except at the riding school.

"The horses have been using the road for years.

Mhairie said she has pleaded with some lorry drivers to slow down long before they pass because air brakes frighten horses.

"It's getting worse," she said. "It's just not safe any more. Generally most drivers are really good, it's just the odd few who zoom past you."

It has been estimated that there are more than 200 horse rides a week from the six stables on that stretch of road, which is rated as class three, below even a B road.

Cllr Stan Waddington represents Minchinhampton on Gloucestershire County Council and sympathised with Mhairie.

He is compiling traffic movement data for the Commons and he said he suspects that lorries are using that road as a short cut between Cirencester and the M5.

"The problem is getting something done about it," said Cllr Waddington.

"It might be possible to get 50 or 40mph limit but whatever it is it has to be enforced."

He said the figures are expected to be ready by the end of February. He will put them to the county council to urge it to introduce more traffic safety measures.