IN response to Maureen Stephenson's letter, dated July 17.

I myself have a horse and I live in Egerton, and I would like to point out to Maureen Stephenson and like-minded people, that the reason you see people riding horses on the main road is quite simple -- WE HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO RIDE.

Do you think most people who have horses enjoy riding on busy main roads? It's the last place you would want or choose to ride.

I am on a small bridleways committee, and we are trying our best to get places open in the Egerton and Bromley Cross area, so that we do not have to ride on the roads. But to do this properly and legally takes time, so at the moment our options for places to ride which avoid using main roads are very limited.

As an example. I live in Egerton, and the nearest bridleway for me is Katherine's Edge Stones Bank, so I have to go up Longworth Road or the main A666 (Blackburn Road) past Dimple. You can imagine what the traffic is like coming over the moors from Darwen, so I tend to use Longworth Road, but, even on this quieter road, many a time cars pass me at 60 to 70 mph. Not much fun when you are on a lively horse. It only takes a pheasant to fly out of woods or a field and spook your horse and it's goodnight Vienna for everybody.

Most people have hobbies and pastimes such as sports etc. For you this is the enjoyment of walking your dog, and I am sure no one would wish to deny you that privilege. For me it is to ride my horse and be allowed to do so in peace.

Please remember we do not choose to ride on the roads, but in most cases it is the only way for us to get to somewhere safer to ride. Nor would we choose to ride on the pavement if it could be avoided. But there are many occasions when, in the interest of safety due to busy roads and speeding cars, we have to use the pavement to take evasive action.

Some people may think we should transport our horses to places where we can ride in safety. But a decent horse box would cost about £3,000 to £7,000, or a trailer about £1,000 to £2,500; prices which most riders cannot afford, and for a young girl or boy with a pony it's out of the question.

To close, I would ask Maureen Stephenson to remember that riding is a hobby and a pastime for many people. And as she wants to walk her dog, all they want to do is ride their horses, preferably not on the roads and not on the pavements, but in the quiet and the fresh air of the countryside.

P Fairclough

Blackburn Road

Egerton

PS: there are many people who would be glad of horse droppings for their gardens. IN response to Maureen Stephenson's letter, dated July 17.

I myself have a horse and I live in Egerton, and I would like to point out to Maureen Stephenson and like-minded people, that the reason you see people riding horses on the main road is quite simple -- WE HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO RIDE.

Do you think most people who have horses enjoy riding on busy main roads ? It's the last place you would want or choose to ride.

I am on a small bridleways committee, and we are trying our best to get places open in the Egerton and Bromley Cross area, so that we do not have to ride on the roads. But to do this properly and legally takes time, so at the moment our options for places to ride which avoid using main roads are very limited.

As an example. I live in Egerton, and the nearest bridleway for me is Katherine's Edge Stones Bank, so I have to go up Longworth Road or the main A666 (Blackburn Road) past Dimple. You can imagine what the traffic is like coming over the moors from Darwen, so I tend to use Longworth Road, but, even on this quieter road, many a time cars pass me at 60 to 70 mph. Not much fun when you are on a lively horse. It only takes a pheasant to fly out of woods or a field and spook your horse and it's goodnight Vienna for everybody.

Most people have hobbies and pastimes such as sports etc. For you this is the enjoyment of walking your dog, and I am sure no one would wish to deny you that privilege. For me it is to ride my horse and be allowed to do so in peace.

Please remember we do not choose to ride on the roads, but in most cases it is the only way for us to get to somewhere safer to ride. Nor would we choose to ride on the pavement if it could be avoided. But there are many occasions when, in the interest of safety due to busy roads and speeding cars, we have to use the pavement to take evasive action.

Some people may think we should transport our horses to places where we can ride in safety. But a decent horse box would cost about £3,000 to £7,000, or a trailer about £1,000 to £2,500; prices which most riders cannot afford, and for a young girl or boy with a pony it's out of the question.

To close, I would ask Maureen Stephenson to remember that riding is a hobby and a pastime for many people. And as she wants to walk her dog, all they want to do is ride their horses, preferably not on the roads and not on the pavements, but in the quiet and the fresh air of the countryside.

P Fairclough

Blackburn Road

Egerton

PS: there are many people who would be glad of horse droppings for their gardens.