A Witcham woman whose horse was badly injured in a collision by a car travelling on the wrong side of the road is hoping that her friend’s horse Neville will encourage drivers to slow down.
While raising awareness for horse and rider safety in the local community, Jane Badcock successfully campaigned to reduce the speed limit to 40 miles per hour on the way into, and out of, the village.
Jane has also roped in another rider’s miniature horse, Neville, dressed in a bright yellow coat with the words ‘Keep It Slow 30/40 Keep It Safe’, to do his bit for the safety campaign.
Police in East Cambridgeshire have also shown their support for the campaign, writing on social media: “The campaign has been successful in changing the speed limits in Witcham, and has included the broader introduction of a reduction in the limit to 40mph on the way into, and out of the village itself.”
The campaign was launched after a people carrier ploughed head-on into horses and their riders – including Jane and her horse Patsy - near Ely in March 2017.
The incident happened on a 30mph stretch of road as both riders from Witcham Equestrian Centre were quietly trotting along minding their own business.
Suddenly, as CCTV footage shows, a blue people carrier came round the corner on the wrong side of the road and careered into them.
Patsy was hit by a car and had to be treated by a vet.
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 following morning while Fleur was also fine.
The spokesman said the incident was “no fault” of the horses or the riders and thanked everyone who helped.
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