Call to ban pony and trap racing on public roads

Events in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire were reported at the weekend

Pony and trap racing should be banned on roads if organisers do not have a licence after recent disruption, the Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner (PCC) said.

Slow traffic was reported on the A40 near Minster Lovell in Oxfordshire after a "large gathering" of pony and traps on Saturday and Sunday.

PCC Matthew Barber said there was also disruption on the A413 and neighbouring roads near Chalfont St Peter and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

A vehicle was seized and two people were reported for other traffic offences.

Mr Barber said the police could not mount "such intense operations" to deal with similar events regularly "without seriously damaging the day-to-day policing on which we all rely".

People were asked to stay clear of affected roads "to ensure public safety and minimise disruption" in Oxfordshire at the weekend.

Pony and trap racing, in which horses pull a cart and driver behind them, is not illegal.

Mr Barber said he had written to the Department for Transport and MPs for the respective areas "asking them to consider a change in legislation to prohibit pony and trap racing on public roads".

He added: "Of course this would not necessarily stop all racing, but could require - similar to cycle racing - organisers to meet certain conditions and to seek permission from the local authority and the police to ensure that events were well managed and caused minimal disruption."

Racing motor vehicles is banned by law and cycle races are regulated.