MORE than 20 horse riders in Cornwall will take part in an event to highlight the importance of safety issues around passing horses on Cornish roads.

On September 17, horse riders and members of the public are taking part in the Porkellis/Penmarth, Carnkie Pass Wide and Slow Ride and Drive event which has been organised by keen horse rider, Kate Wedlake.

The riders and their horses will join members of the public walking on foot, along the road between Penmarth and Carnkie. The road has numerous footpaths, including the main route around Stithians Lake.

However, the main road has a 60mph speed limit and several accidents have occurred.

Organiser Kate has “seen accidents involving cars, runners and cyclists and a lot of near misses with horses”. She said: “I have seen accidents involving cars, runners, and cyclists and lots of near misses with horses. In fact, a large proportion of the riders in this area no longer right that road even though there are lots of Bridleways linked by the road.

“I believe when they put the lake in and the road passing it a lot of the bridleways were cut off and never replaced or linked off road.

“The council and Cormac both say it isn’t dangerous even though they have put in crash barriers adjacent to one of the bridleways, so if you are on a horse, you are pushed out into the road and there is no way to get out of the way.”

The GOV.UK website gives information to drivers on what they need to do when approaching a horse and rider on a road. It reads: “Always pass wide and slowly.

“When you see a horse on a road, you should slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine. When safe to do so, pass wide and slow, allowing at least 2 metres of space.”

Kate said: “The new Highway Code rules of passing horses at 10mph and with 2m of space has definitely made a difference but it really hasn’t been publicised enough, again as riders we will always do our best to get out of a car’s way as soon as it is safe and there is enough space to do so.”

For more information on the ride, or if you would like to take part, visit the Ride 36 Porkellis/Penmarth/Carnkie Pass wide & Slow ride & drive 17/09/23 on Facebook.