Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales

Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig | Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee

Ymchwiliad i bolisi coedwigaeth a choetiroedd yng Nghymru| Inquiry into Forestry and woodland policy in Wales

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Ymateb gan : Cymdeithas Ceffylau Prydain -Swyddog Mynediad Sirol a Llwybrau ar gyfer Sir Benfro

Evidence from : The British Horse Society - County Access and Bridleways Officer for Pembrokeshire

I have read the draft Forestry & Woodland Policy for Wales and I am extremely disappointed that there is no mention of the needs of horse riders to access woods for safe off-road riding.  It appears that walkers & cyclists (and even the Car Rallies) are well catered for on NRW land.

The Welsh Government’s Road Safety policy recognises that horse riders along with carriage drivers, walkers & cyclists are vulnerable road users so why has this not been factored into the Forestry & Woodland Policy by the NRW who are partners of the Welsh Government.

In Pembrokeshire there are several tracts of NRW forestry which have registered bridleways which provide safe off-road routes for horse riders walkers & cyclists. The highest rights on bridleways being firstly horse riders, walkers & cyclists.

While we are happy to share the bridleways there are certain groups who consider they have the right of way and horse riders are increasingly being put at risk.

As BHS County Access & Bridleways Officer for Pembrokeshire I have spoken on numerous occasions to the NRW for additional routes for riding using the haul roads, these would also provide access for carriage drivers, a group also omitted from the draft.

These additional routes would alleviate congestion and surface damage on existing routes but so far the NRW have not agreed to providing additional routes in their land holding in Pembrokeshire.

As a tourist county and having 2 trunk road links to Ireland it is becoming increasing difficult to ride in safety and in Pembrokeshire alone there have been a number of horse related motor accidents in the last year.

I ask the Welsh Government to impress upon the NRW and planners / developers to ensure that the safety of horse riders and carriage drivers and access to additional off-road riding is made high priority.