It has been a success for the Witcham Equestrian Centre as a campaign launched to raise awareness of the village’s speed limit has been recognised with a new 30mph sign.
The campaign came after two horses and their riders were struck by a car driving on the opposite side of the road in the village last year. One of the horses injured in the incident, Patsy, made a full recovery.
The new sign, highlighting the 30mph limit going through the village, was entirely funded by the community through the fundraising campaign launched by the centre. It was also supported by the Witcham Parish Council.
Jane Badcock, who was riding Patsy during the crash, previously campaigned in May this year and successfully brought the speed limit down to 40mph going in and out of the village.
During the campaign, Jane dressed a fellow rider’s miniature horse, Neville, in a bright yellow coat with the words “Keep it Slow 30/40/ Keep it Safe” printed on the side to do his bit for the safety campaign.
It was all smiles last week though as Patsy, along with Councillor Lorna Dupré and Alan Hiscox from The British Horse Society posed for photos with the shiny new 30mph sign that was installed by the county council.
The incident that sparked the campaign happened in March 2017. It saw a blue people carrier plough head-on into the two horses and their riders on the 30mph stretch of road – the car can be seen on CCTV driving on the wrong side of the road.
The campaign was not only supported by people across the region, but was also recognised by police in East Cambridgeshire. In a post on social media they said: “The campaign has been successful in changing the speed limits in Witcham.
“It has included the broader introduction of a reduction in the limit to 40mph on the way into, and out of the village itself.”
Soon after the collision last March, the equestrian centre put up brief details of the incident on their Facebook page but said they would not be commenting on the video itself as the matter was being dealt with by police.
“We would like to say that we are very grateful for the concern that people have shown for both the horses and riders involved in the accident,” a centre spokesman said.
Patsy was said to have had a good night after the incident and was looking for treats. The spokesman said the incident was “no fault” of the horses or the riders and thanked everyone who helped.
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