'Near-miss' prompts calls for horse crossing

A near-miss has prompted calls for a special Pegasus crossing on the A18

People in North East Lincolnshire have petitioned the council for a special horse crossing over an A-road.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 82 people have signed a petition calling for a Pegasus crossing to connect two bridleways either side of the A18, where it travels between Ashby cum Fenby and East Ravendale.

Dianne Brown, who started the petition, stated in the supporting documents that her granddaughter had a "near miss incident" on a horse, crossing the A18.

The council confirmed a petition had been received and a report would look into what could be done.

The bridle path between the villages of East Ravendale and Ashby cum Fenby crosses the A18

Ms Brown had previously been in contact with the council, and horse warning signs have been installed, but she feels more is needed.

“My granddaughter had a problem whilst out riding her horse trying to cross the A18 out of a blind spot when the horse was unable to see oncoming traffic,” Ms Brown said in the Change.org petition.

Horse and rider ended up in front of a car, but avoided a collision.

She added: “This really highlighted the problem for horse riders, carriage drivers, walkers, cyclists and drivers trying to cross this busy road.”

Warning signs

Safety concerns were first raised with the council’s bridleways officer two years ago, the petition said.

The transport department installed horse warning signs this summer, but Ms Brown feels a horse-specific Pegasus crossing is needed.

The petition was received by councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, at a meeting.

He has commissioned a report by council officers, which will include outlined recommendations on how to address the issue.

Pegasus crossings are named after the mythical winged horse and are a type of traffic lights crossing specialised for horse riders.

They are similar to Toucan crossings, but use horse rider symbols and higher positioned buttons, to suit horse riders.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.