IT is wholly within reason that five-year Local Transport Plans being drawn up by councils should include provision for cyclists and ramblers.

However, to those living in a rural area such as Wharfedale, it must seem incongruous that the draft plans drawn up so far do not take into account the needs of horse riders. Indeed, Government guidelines to local authorities on how to formulate the plans make no mention whatsoever of the horse, and this despite strong representation having been made by the British Horse Society. Consequently, most local authorities have neglected equestrian needs within their provisional plans (see Page 17).

Whether motorists like it or not, the sight of horses being ridden along country roads as riders hack out is a fact of rural life, not to mention certain areas of suburbia. If the blueprint covers the needs of cyclists and walkers on our roads, then it should also include horse riders.

The Government says it wants to hear local opinion in formulating the plan and, it seems, Bradford Council's countryside officer at least wants to hear people's views. It is not too late for horse riders in Wharfedale to make their feelings known and have their needs included in the Local Transport Plans being drawn up by both Leeds and Bradford Councils. Indeed, Ilkley riders Debbie Redman and Cathy Suzuki are sending a questionnaire to local livery yards in the hope of using information received to force the hand of Bradford Council.

If riders are interested in access and road safety, then they should write to their local authorities immediately to try to get equestrian needs included. Horse riders were on our roads long before cars and cyclists and it is estimated that there are still 350,000 horse owners in Britain.

A group of this size should be catered for in any Local Transport Plans.

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