Horse riders plan road safety protest with local MP

Gill Reese with signs she helped install in Forston (Image: Gill Reese)

A group of riders that use busy roads are campaigning for more awareness for horses.

Gill Reese, who lives in Forston and rides on the A352 road, said it has become worse in the last 15 years, with drivers being abusive and speeding past horses on roads.

She said: “The whole attitude to motoring has changed and there is more traffic. They do not give you time to slow and give you space."

The horse enthusiast of almost 70 years is one of a group of riders that are campaigning for drivers to take care when passing horses on the road and will be joining others to 'reclaim the road' at an event later this year.

West Dorset MP Edward Morello is backing the riders’ initiative, and Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is also due to attend when dates are finalised after the summer.

Mr Morello said: “It is not just vehicles that use the backroads of West Dorset but walkers, cyclists and horse riders. I have raised with Dorset Police the need for improved signage, visible policing and education of drivers to ensure that our roads can be used safely by all.

“I look forward to joining residents for a ride-out later in the year to highlight the problems they face. Ultimately, we need drivers to act with more caution and respect other road users.”  

September is when riders raise awareness for road safety nationally, with many Pass Wide and Slow Campaigns running across the country, said Holly Quick - another rider from Dorset involved in the local protest.

In 2016, Gill fought for warning signs to be installed when coming into Forston, the village near Dorchester, and continues to raise awareness of road safety.

She said: “People on roads see us and think- what are we doing here. It is gobsmacking the people who take no notice."

On some roads across Dorset, drivers are speeding over three times the local speed limit, with the highest speed in a 30 zone recorded at 97mph.