Path at centre of safety probe

Jul 25 2008

A SAFETY probe must be carried out before horses are allowed back on a public path.

And the shock decision brought spontaneous applause from villagers.

South Ayrshire Council was expected to rubber-stamp an earlier committee decision to allow horses back.

But an amendment from the Labour group won support from Independent councillors, and most of the SNP group.

The outcome was a 17-11 vote for an independent safety audit on the Burnside Path between Mossblown and Annbank.

Villagers were in the public seats at the last full meeting of South Ayrshire Council before the summer recess.

And they found a champion in Councillor Andy Campbell, who spelled out their fears.

He said: “I’m sitting here with a petition with 300 names. And to tell you that 200 residents of the two villages turned up to a public meeting last week.

“Yet the council feels no public consultation is necessary, and refused to send a representative to the meeting.”

Councillor Campbell added: “I can’t understand how a situation like this was allowed to develop.

“A decision was taken six years ago to legally close the path to horses, for safety reasons.

“Yet here we are again – back at the beginning.”

Councillor Campbell fumed: “I am already aware of two serious incidents of irresponsible equestrian use, regarding loose horses.

“One even bolted on to the main bus route between the two villages, and it was fortunate the bus was not on the road at that time.

“Young children – some as young as three – are taken along the path on nature rambles.

“Will this now have to cease to accommodate the wishes of the equestrian fraternity?”

The councillor concluded: “We have a duty to protect the people of South Ayrshire.

“There is no point in closing the path after the horse has bolted.”

Council leader, Councillor Hugh Hunter, had earlier advocated the return of equestrian use on the path.

Councillor Hunter said there was no need for this to be monitored for 12 months, as advised by a council scrutiny panel.

He said: “We already have protocols and procedures in place for dealing with paths.”

The administration’s wish to restore equestrian rights was also spurred by a fear of legal action.

For it believes it must make the path available to all responsible users, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.