Regulation 18 draft Local Plan

Object

Representation ID: 6954

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

data relating to road incidents involving horses are provided to illustrate the importance of protecting, improving and extending safe off-road provision to help prevent these numbers from increasing in the future.
Several of the policies refer to 'active travel'. The Society seeks assurance that Rutland CC recognises the inclusivity of active travel in terms of movement for all vulnerable road users. Jesse Norman MP, Parliamentary Under -Secretary of State for Transport in a House of Commons debate on Road Safety, 5 November 2018 Ill stated: "We should be clear that the cycling and walking strategy may have that name but is absolutely targeted at vulnerable road users, including horse-riders

Comments noted. These comments relate primarily to Policy INF3 and are covered by representation 7476 under that policy.

Object

Representation ID: 7476

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

There appears to be no connection between policies relating to active travel, green and blue infrastructure, open spaces and other obligations of the authority such as the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
Again, the phrase 'walking and cycling' is exclusive, therefore criteria g. consider the needs of all users through inclusive design is insincere.
Providing sufficient opportunity through connected off-road routes for activity of at least 30 minutes will help to achieve health and wellbeing targets.
Several categories of public rights of way (bridleways, restricted byways and byways) and minor public roads are already shared by cyclists and other user groups. Thus, as a general principle, we believe that, for maximum public benefit and fairness, the reciprocal approach should be implemented, i.e. that new cycle paths should be shared with other user groups unless there is a specific, unresolvable reason not to do so. Designing equestrians into development plans will enhance equestrian access and activity, reaping benefits for safety, health and wellbeing. Monsall Trail in Derbyshire given as good example.

Comments noted. Agreed that all forms of active transport, including equestrian use, should be encouraged. The Local Plan is to be read in conjunction with the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) (2019 -29). This acknowledges that provision for horse riders across the County is unevenly distributed and the network available to them is highly fragmented, making it difficult to make a continuous meaningful route without either using sections of road, or trespassing on footpaths. We acknowledge that horse riders remain concerned about the safety of our roads. Progress with the identified actions within the ROWIP Implementation Plan including better maintenance of unclassified county roads present opportunities to enhance the safety of the existing network.

Support

Representation ID: 7477

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

The policy supports local tourism. Equestrian tourism (bring your horse on holiday) is an increasingly popular and lucrative business. With the recognition of the decline in the farming economy, models such as https://www.cholseyfarmriding.co.uk/ enable landowners to diversify. The equestrian industry generates over £5 billion of consumer spending, £6,887 per horse per annum (BETA, 2019) to the economy, benefitting local economies where equestrian activities thrive.

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 7478

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

The policy refers to 'access by walking, cycling' without reference to other modes of travel, for example horse riding or carriage driving. Whilst most often equestrians will be active for leisure, there are many examples of utility journeys being undertaken. Our members have provided some in the image attached.

Noted. Add "other modes of sustainable travel" to criterion e)

Object

Representation ID: 7479

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Public Rights of Way connect communities and provide access to the countryside, however there is no specific mention of PRoW or the RoWIP. In terms of wellbeing benefits, research shows that 'activity with horses in nature environments is a source of wellbeing, enjoyment, self-confidence and social contacts (Schwarzmuller-Erber et al, 2020).
Encouraging more people to be active in the countryside, including equestrians, will require sufficient resourcing in terms of maintaining and improving Public Rights of Way and shared/multi­ user/active travel routes. Using more environmentally friendly materials to provide surfaces appropriate for all users would help to protect the heritage of the landscape.

Noted. Public Right of Ways are addressed in the penultimate paragraph of Policy EN7.

Object

Representation ID: 7480

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

New development plans provide opportunities to improve and extend the bridleway and byway network for the shared enjoyment of equestrians, wheelers. Resources through sl06 could also be utilised to extend the network through addressing anomalies on the Definitive Map and to assess claims for additional routes or to upgrade the status of a route. Developments should consider the existence of these routes as historic assets and use opportunities to dedicate additional routes to enhance the network for all non-MPV users who are vulnerable on the growing road network.

Noted. This falls outside the scope of Policy EN12.

Object

Representation ID: 7485

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Where mineral extraction sites are identified, PRoW and the informal off-road network should be considered and protected through all phases of the extraction and processing.

Noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7486

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: The British Horse Society

The policy mentions walking and cycling only, missing the opportunity to advocate for all vulnerable road users sharing new paths, particularly in the urban fringes, to avoid horses and riders/handlers being forced to be sandwiched between fast moving MPV traffic on the roads and cyclists who can enjoy MPV traffic free cycling/walking routes. Road crossings for pedestrians and cyclists could also include equestrians.
The government's Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review says: "l.2 But safety has particular importance for vulnerable road users, such as walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The more people who use Active Travel, the fitter and healthier they will be, and the more their communities will benefit from lower congestion and better air quality, among a host of other benefits".

Comment Noted. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (‘the Act’) requires all local highway authorities to prepare and publish plans, referred to as rights of way improvement plans (ROWIPs). Rutland's current ROWIP covers the 2019-2029 period and the vision states the Council will maintain a 'connected, accessible and well-maintained network of local rights of way that meets the present and future needs of users and encourages them to engage with the natural environment for exercise, leisure and transport purposes', and this includes horse riders . In Rutland it is estimated that horse riders have access to nearing 40% of the existing public rights of way network which is a more positive figure than the national estimate which is closer to 22%. However, analysis of network density shows that the routes available are unevenly distributed and highly fragmented, so it’s difficult to make a meaningful route without either a) using sections of road, or b) trespassing on footpaths. Areas in the north-east (Exton / Pickworth) and southwest (Leighfield) are reasonably well catered for but this only serves to highlight the limited routes elsewhere. . Consultation undertaken for the ROWIP suggests there’s little evidence to support the idea that landowners would be happy to provide increased access if given sufficient financial incentive so with limited opportunities we will need to be creative to deliver new routes. There may be potential to extend the network by the addition of historic routes (lost ways) and improve bridleway road crossings in locations close to proposed site allocations in the Local Plan.