Lib Dem Councillors working to establish a safe route for horse riding
Liberal Democrat Councillors are working with Rugby Borough Council to establish a safe route for horse riding after recent incidents that have taken place along the Great Central Way.
Currently, horse riding is not permitted on any Council land and this is backed up by bye-laws which the Police can enforce. Where necessary the Council will erect signage to this effect, like the new signs on Great Central Walk.
However, areas such as the Diamond Wood are not covered by any bye-laws as the Council are currently going through a process of changing from bye-laws to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). So, whilst horse riding is not permitted in these areas the Council are unable to enforce the rules.
Paddox Ward Councillors Jerry Roodhouse, Noreen New and Tim Douglas have raised the issue with the Council and are working to find a solution, so areas are safe for the public and law-abiding horse riders can continue to ride off road where appropriate to do so.
As a result, the Council have been working with the British Horse Society (BHS) to establish a fair weather "horse route" around the bottom two fields of the Diamond Wood, and have submitted a funding bid for some minor works to make this happen. This would then be a permissive circular route and would be signed accordingly, with the full support and backing of the BHS for responsible horse ownership. Once the new PSPOs are completed formally banning horses from everywhere else then the Community Safety Wardens can enforce with fines.
Councillor Neil Sandison, who represents the Liberal Democrats in Eastlands Ward is Chairing a task group on the new Public Space Protection Orders. A consultation asking the public how PSPOs should be used was launched on Saturday 4 November 2017 at the "Our Rugby Our Future" event at the Benn Hall.
Where antisocial, threatening or illegal behaviour does take place members of the public are encouraged to report this to the Police or the Community Safety Wardens to ensure they can be acted on as they occur.