IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME USING CHANGE.ORG, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CLICK ON THE EMAIL YOU RECEIVE AFTER SIGNING UP TO CONFIRM YOU WANTED TO SIGN THE PETITION. IF YOU DON'T, YOU WONT BE INCLUDED IN THE NUMBERS

For many years we have been hacking through Risden Woods to access our nearest byways and bridleways, which run between Epping Green and Rye Hill Road. This is extremely important as it allows us to avoid taking children as young as six onto national speed limit roads which are already used as a rat-run to avoid Epping high street.

Over the last few months, Harlow Council have taken the stance that horses are no longer welcome in the woods and have effectively blocked all routes into the woodland, forcing us unto a busy main road. (Their barricades also prevent wheelchair users and families with buggies from accessing this public land)

We have tried to engage with the council, who are unwilling to discuss the matter with us, leaving us no option but to petition and protest for change.

There are countless examples of where councils and riders have worked together to create a safe environment for riding to take place, sadly it would appear that Harlow Council does not wish to be one of them.

Hacking is a vital part of equine exercise and is necessary to keep our horses safe and healthy. We know that moving onto the roads will not only increase the danger for our riders, but also increase disruption for road users in the area.

We are well aware of the 'pass wide and slow' campaign, which has been brought in due to the number of accidents where horses and riders have been injured as a result of cars driving too fast and too close and we have no desire to become another one of those statistics.

Put simply...

Drivers don't want us on the roads, we don't want to be on the roads... but the council are giving us no option.

If you are a rider, who understands how dangerous this can be... or a driver who would like to avoid the disruption to their drive, please sign this petition.

There is an amicable solution to this, if only the council were willing to come to the table and discuss.