From Roger Mitchell.
TO say that I am astounded by the decision of ‘Elf and Safety’ to close bridle paths along the north coast would be a gross understatement.
Riders have taken their horses along the bridle paths for hundreds of years. Now, because of the alleged thoughtless action of mountain bikers, they are to be partially closed.
This will achieve nothing. The bikers will merely haul their machines over the obstruction and carry on. I believe in Jersey that the horse has priority on the roads ‘because it was here first’. Not on the bridle paths apparently.
By the way, these paths will have to be renamed as ‘Paths not for horses because of Elf and Safety’, and someone will have to change the maps.
If the States have passed this motion then it is an offensive one. If not Elf and Safety should be brought to book. I do not ride horses. I keep a dog. I would not insult her by saying ‘Elf and Safety are barking mad’.
Finally, if this decision to close the north coast has been taken in the interest of walkers, should we not now ban all cows from the fields? There have been two tragic cases in the UK recently involving people trampled to death.
The results of this alarming situation will be that people will have to exercise their horses on the roads.
Which would be safer, a horse on the cliff path or a horse confronted by a would be Sterling Moss in an H-car in our lanes?
