Publication Plan November 2022

Comment

Representation ID: 4334

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Walking and cycling routes are included with no mention of equestrian access. ‘Planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users’ (NPPF, s100).

Comment

Representation ID: 4335

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Active travel routes are included with no mention of equestrian access. 'Planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users’ (NPPF, s100).

Comment

Representation ID: 4336

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Active travel developments in this area could take the opportunity to upgrade public footpath Essington 3W to bridleway to be inclusive of cyclists and equestrians. ‘Planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users’ (NPPF, s100).

Comment

Representation ID: 4337

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Active travel is referred to in terms of walkers and cyclists and is therefore not ‘inclusive’ as it purports to be. New developments and infrastructure design should provide opportunities to improve and extend the bridleway and byway network for the shared enjoyment of all vulnerable road users. ‘Planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users’ (NPPF, s100).

Comment

Representation ID: 4338

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

All vulnerable road users should be included on multi-user routes; equestrians are identified as equal to cyclists in the Highway Code hierarchy of road users. Any newly constructed paths should be integrated/physically linked with the existing public rights of way network where possible and needed, clearly waymarked and recorded on either the definitive map or another publicly accessible map as appropriate. Natural surfaces, appropriate specified crushed stone or alternatives such as bound rock rubber crumb are suitable for all user groups.

Comment

Representation ID: 4339

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Cycling and walking are mentioned in this policy although equestrians are omitted. Excluding horse riders where connections are made for walkers and cyclists will further fragment the network and disadvantage this group. Infrastructure design should seek to be inclusive to comply with the ethos of the Equality Act 2010. For maximum public benefit and fairness, new green infrastructure should be for all vulnerable road users unless there is a specific, unresolvable reason not to do so. Any newly constructed paths should be integrated/physically linked with the existing public rights of way network where possible and needed, clearly waymarked and recorded on either the definitive map or another publicly accessible map as appropriate. Equestrian activity contributes to health targets.

Comment

Representation ID: 4340

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Promoting, nurturing and enabling equestrian access would support the equestrian industry including tourism.

Comment

Representation ID: 4341

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

It is encouraging that South Staffordshire has recognised the importance of providing for equine related development, particularly the need to consider ‘suitable off-road routes’. The previous comments on other policies highlight the benefits of multi-user routes to extend and enhance the network for all vulnerable road users.

Comment

Representation ID: 4342

Received: 23/12/2022

Respondent: The British Horse Society

Active travel does include equestrians. Shared routes will futureproof the routes and engage a wider range of users in active travel and leisure which in turn will impact positively on health and wellbeing and road safety statistics. Equestrian activity contributes to health targets.