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The age old debate about horse poo messing up public roads has surfaced
in Oswestry, Shropshire. In this instance prompted by local wheelchair
user ‘who had struggled to pass down dirtied roads’.
In this case, Director of community services for Oswestry Borough Council, Dave Jones issued letters to eight livery stables and riding schools in the borough, requesting they clean up the mess left by their horses.
The letter cites complaints from residents about dung on Primrose Lane and Tregarthen Lane in Pant.
It says: "The council will continue to clean the highway...as part of our continuing working schedule". But adds: "We would like to point out that you have a duty of care to clean up after your horses. This has always been the council's policy, and the letters dispatched in early September were provoked by a complaint made.
Mr Jones added: "A farmer has a duty of care to clean up any mud on the road from his tractor, so what's the difference?"
A spokesman for nearby Herefordshire Council said that, as in Oswestry, riders in its region have the "duty of care" to clean up the dung. But Chester City Council said there was no statutory obligation on anyone — the council or riders — to clean up horse muck.
Redditch Borough Council in Worcestershire said it had a similarly relaxed policy.
"It's not an offence for a rider to leave the mess. If someone reported the dung to us we would clear it up."
Sounds like Oswestry Borough Council have not enough work for their staff, and plenty of spare cash to burn – pity they can’t spend any on maintaining bridleways!
Adapted from a Horse and Hound article
Date Created: 15/10/2007
Last Updated: 15/10/2007
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