Committee
Public Petitions Committee, 25 Jun 2002
25 Jun 2002 · S1 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Land (Equestrian Access) (PE521)
Zoe Woods:
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There is the very expensive solution to the problem that is used by Windsor great park, where there are buttons that one presses to automatically open and close the gates. However, there are also special horse gates that have a less powerful spring and a long handle. The gate can be opened easily from the saddle; one does not have to lean down. The horse can spin around, the rider lets the gate go and the spring is strong enough to close the gate. Those gates are not a problem.Bear in mind the fact that horse riders are the least likely to leave gates open because we have stock too. We are putting our horses in a field, closing the gate and making sure that they are secure.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
PE521 is from Zoe Woods, on the subject of equestrian access to land. I invite Zoe Woods to take a seat at the table. The usual rules apply. The petitioner w...
Zoe Woods:
I must take off my glasses. I cannot see you without them but I cannot read with them.
The Convener:
Lab
I am in the same position.
Zoe Woods:
This is the first time that I have made such a presentation.I live on the edge of what will be Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. I have lived ther...
Dr Ewing:
SNP
There are two problems. One is inside the park. You just told us that Forest Enterprise objects to soft paths for cantering. However, the main problem is ent...
Zoe Woods:
Forest Enterprise recently received £1.4 million from the European Commission for access. For horse riders, it is increasing car parking areas for lorries an...
Phil Gallie:
Con
Over recent times, we have created a national cycle track system. Can people on horseback use cycle tracks?
Zoe Woods:
Yes, although tarmac is not ideal for trotting on. As horses get older, they get arthritis and tarmac is not good for them. Nonetheless, we take them on the ...
Phil Gallie:
Con
In some circumstances, a cycle path could be an additional means of access to a place for you to take your horses.
Zoe Woods:
Yes.
Phil Gallie:
Con
So, there is a use there.
Zoe Woods:
One of the young ladies who signed my petition is 20 years old. When she started work, she saved up and bought her first horse. She keeps it in a field in Ca...
Phil Gallie:
Con
We may have some difficulty with the specific instance of the national park, as there is now another authority to deal with that. However, the issue that you...
Zoe Woods:
Yes. I also submitted the petition to raise awareness. An awful lot of folk think that horse riding is a minority interest or the preserve of the affluent. H...
Phil Gallie:
Con
I am slightly surprised that people in the tourism industry have not made more of the issue. Pony trekking must be an important feature of the tourism industry.
Zoe Woods:
It should be. Pony trekking in the UK started in Aberfoyle. In the 1950s, a film called "Rob Roy" was made, for which a local Highland pony breeder provided ...
Phil Gallie:
Con
The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is currently proceeding through the Parliament. What contact have you and your group had with your local MSPs in reference to...
Zoe Woods:
I have talked to Sylvia Jackson, who recently supported a tramp the Trossachs campaign. When I rang the organisers of that campaign and said, "You have addre...
Phil Gallie:
Con
Finally, do you occasionally find that people who access the land by foot take exception to horses and cyclists using the same facilities?
Zoe Woods:
They do in Scotland, but that is exceptional. In England, we have bridleways. When I rode on bridleways, I used to see walkers, dog walkers and cyclists and ...
Phil Gallie:
Con
Yes. Thank you.
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
What has changed with the establishment of the national parks, particularly in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs? Has access for equestrian pursuits changed?
Zoe Woods:
No. More parking is being introduced and about six or eight particular areas where horse riders can ride are being publicised. Surfaces have not been introdu...
John Farquhar Munro:
LD
Yes. However, your petition suggests that the problem relates to pony trekking rather than the other equestrian pursuits.
Zoe Woods:
No. Two aspects of the matter need to be considered. First, there is the local community. There are 400 riding horses in our local community that do not have...
John Farquhar Munro:
LD
How should the issue be addressed in the local communities that you are concerned about?
Zoe Woods:
The local community would like three projects to be advanced. One is Coiuhallan woods outside Callander. In 1997, it was minuted at the community council mee...
Rhoda Grant:
Lab
I have a question that relates to national rather than local issues. One of the biggest barriers to horse riding is gates, as you explained. Erecting stiles,...
Zoe Woods:
There is the very expensive solution to the problem that is used by Windsor great park, where there are buttons that one presses to automatically open and cl...
Rhoda Grant:
Lab
I am not suggesting that you would leave gates open. However, I think that many farmers would say that if there is a gate, other people will use it and might...