ester
Not slacking multitasking
*coughs* would it be really bad to suggest that was the 'olden' days so traffic was not what it is now
*runs from DD*
*runs from DD*
Don't hold back folks! Horses/motorway bridge parapets
- Thread starter MochaDun
- Start date
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
*coughs* would it be really bad to suggest that was the 'olden' days so traffic was not what it is now
*runs from DD*
[/ QUOTE ]
Same speed limit.....
The first ride on one of them over a bridge was a bit eventful as he was quite scared and managed to teter to the middle and then planted himself over the central reservation. Took forever to get him to go the rest of the way.
Worse than motorway bridges was riding down Accomodation Road to Brean with the main train line running down the length of it.
*coughs* would it be really bad to suggest that was the 'olden' days so traffic was not what it is now
*runs from DD*
[/ QUOTE ]
Same speed limit.....
The first ride on one of them over a bridge was a bit eventful as he was quite scared and managed to teter to the middle and then planted himself over the central reservation. Took forever to get him to go the rest of the way.
Worse than motorway bridges was riding down Accomodation Road to Brean with the main train line running down the length of it.
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
That is my sentiments exactly, maybe some posters on here only plod around a menage or whatever it's called, and are slightly jealous of not having the ability, confidence or a sensible animal or all three to hack out on, hence they dont see a need for consideration from authorities to cater for us.
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
That is my sentiments exactly, maybe some posters on here only plod around a menage or whatever it's called, and are slightly jealous of not having the ability, confidence or a sensible animal or all three to hack out on, hence they dont see a need for consideration from authorities to cater for us.
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
If you are in full control then why are you concerned about the size of the parapets?
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
If you are in full control then why are you concerned about the size of the parapets?
Eriskayowner
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
If you are in full control then why are you concerned about the size of the parapets?
[/ QUOTE ]
If a mad vicar decides to push me onto the wrong side of the road then this is out of my control. Luckily for my horse there was nothing else coming the other way and was in control of him at all times, keeping him very close to the car and the white line as far as I could.
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
If you are in full control then why are you concerned about the size of the parapets?
[/ QUOTE ]
If a mad vicar decides to push me onto the wrong side of the road then this is out of my control. Luckily for my horse there was nothing else coming the other way and was in control of him at all times, keeping him very close to the car and the white line as far as I could.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
yes, there is a bit I can do where the train line runs right next too....narrow road, large ditch on other side.
But I can safely say that my pones attitude is that anything that could actually kill you is fine........ anything that cant kill you is terrifying
But I can safely say that my pones attitude is that anything that could actually kill you is fine........ anything that cant kill you is terrifying
Eriskayowner
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
That is my sentiments exactly, maybe some posters on here only plod around a menage or whatever it's called, and are slightly jealous of not having the ability, confidence or a sensible animal or all three to hack out on, hence they dont see a need for consideration from authorities to cater for us.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you Pedantic - someone who seems to understand where I am coming from, and is backing me up!
[ QUOTE ]
I am in full control of my horse and his actions - he is well behaved and well mannered - it's the nutters in the vehicles overtaking me that I don't trust!
[/ QUOTE ]
That is my sentiments exactly, maybe some posters on here only plod around a menage or whatever it's called, and are slightly jealous of not having the ability, confidence or a sensible animal or all three to hack out on, hence they dont see a need for consideration from authorities to cater for us.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you Pedantic - someone who seems to understand where I am coming from, and is backing me up!
ester
Not slacking multitasking
nothing like a healthy debate
I know my vicar isnt mad (I checked) so feel safer
I remember mochadun saying her posts were ignored, not this one!
Oi pedantic, you should have noted that myself, kitty and DD all ride across Mway bridges.
I know my vicar isnt mad (I checked) so feel safer
I remember mochadun saying her posts were ignored, not this one!
Oi pedantic, you should have noted that myself, kitty and DD all ride across Mway bridges.
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
So whats the difference with a road with a ditch or any normal bridge?
ester
Not slacking multitasking
oh kitty!
ditches are soft silly (and damp) and lacking in 70mph arctics.....
but am on your side so.......
ditches are soft silly (and damp) and lacking in 70mph arctics.....
but am on your side so.......
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
Not always - we have some drainage ditches that are very steep and concreted so wouldnt want to fall down them, just genuinely wondering what the difference is between any other potentially fatal hazard.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
ahh ok, I am used to zummerzet ditches
I wouldnt get anywhere if I had to avoid them!
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
hehe would prefer those. Though it seems the debate has fizzled, damn lol
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Oi pedantic, you should have noted that myself, kitty and DD all ride across Mway bridges.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have worse than motorway bridges now. Pedantic I have a Housing Association Estate to go thru
Going past a garden fence with a kid on a trampoline, bouncing up an down so her head just appears every second over the fence - with the family dog joining in as well, next to a skip full of rubbish while being undertaken by kids on skateboards and scooters on a just backed four year old is awesome
Pedantic I know how you would suggest dealing with this issue - but it ain't legal
Oi pedantic, you should have noted that myself, kitty and DD all ride across Mway bridges.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have worse than motorway bridges now. Pedantic I have a Housing Association Estate to go thru
Going past a garden fence with a kid on a trampoline, bouncing up an down so her head just appears every second over the fence - with the family dog joining in as well, next to a skip full of rubbish while being undertaken by kids on skateboards and scooters on a just backed four year old is awesome
Pedantic I know how you would suggest dealing with this issue - but it ain't legal
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
ahh ok, I am used to zummerzet ditches
I wouldnt get anywhere if I had to avoid them!
[/ QUOTE ]
Ester you must be in the tame bit of somerset, where we kept our horses you could park a double decker in them and lose it
ahh ok, I am used to zummerzet ditches
[/ QUOTE ]
Ester you must be in the tame bit of somerset, where we kept our horses you could park a double decker in them and lose it
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
TBH if I expected someone else to cater to every potentially dangerous situation resulting from the actions of other people then my taxes would be sky high...
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
Our river route passes the reclamation tip bottom end, so we get some dreadful bangs and noises from lorries fork lift trucks people dumping tv's and fridges ect, anyone who hasn't ridden that far with me before, has to be confident handling their animal when passing.
We have gone across the assembly rooms Derby City Center rather sideways because of a noisty skateboard once.
We have gone across the assembly rooms Derby City Center rather sideways because of a noisty skateboard once.
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
TBH if I expected someone else to cater to every potentially dangerous situation resulting from the actions of other people then my taxes would be sky high...
[/ QUOTE ]
They allready are
and I wonder how many bankers ride horses.
TBH if I expected someone else to cater to every potentially dangerous situation resulting from the actions of other people then my taxes would be sky high...
[/ QUOTE ]
They allready are
brucea
Well-Known Member
I have to cross a bridge over a dual caraigeway - my lad gets on to the center line, and goes quite calmly, but what gets ame are
a) the lory drivers who come on to the bridge when they see I am crossing it - a minute would not be too much to ask, but no, that load of gravel will perish if it is not delivered right now!
b) the a**holes who think it appropriate to blare their horns as they pass under the bridge
a) the lory drivers who come on to the bridge when they see I am crossing it - a minute would not be too much to ask, but no, that load of gravel will perish if it is not delivered right now!
b) the a**holes who think it appropriate to blare their horns as they pass under the bridge
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I have to cross a bridge over a dual caraigeway - my lad gets on to the center line, and goes quite calmly, but what gets ame are
a) the lory drivers who come on to the bridge when they see I am crossing it - a minute would not be too much to ask, but no, that load of gravel will perish if it is not delivered right now!
b) the a**holes who think it appropriate to blare their horns as they pass under the bridge
[/ QUOTE ]
Ahh yes, the mindless morons who actually take their hand off their crotch (just in case one has rolled away, thats if they had two to start with) only to put it on the hooter thinking themselves to be clever and funny, even had a motorcyclist pap his horn then take his hands off his handle bars and deliberatly waddle his motorbike from side to side while passing underneath me, all for my benefit, dont think the tit realised it was a bloke riding, so all wasted on me totally, ahh bless.
I have to cross a bridge over a dual caraigeway - my lad gets on to the center line, and goes quite calmly, but what gets ame are
a) the lory drivers who come on to the bridge when they see I am crossing it - a minute would not be too much to ask, but no, that load of gravel will perish if it is not delivered right now!
b) the a**holes who think it appropriate to blare their horns as they pass under the bridge
[/ QUOTE ]
Ahh yes, the mindless morons who actually take their hand off their crotch (just in case one has rolled away, thats if they had two to start with) only to put it on the hooter thinking themselves to be clever and funny, even had a motorcyclist pap his horn then take his hands off his handle bars and deliberatly waddle his motorbike from side to side while passing underneath me, all for my benefit, dont think the tit realised it was a bloke riding, so all wasted on me totally, ahh bless.
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
I have to ride near the A30 and there are THREE roads which I regularly hack along, which go over this road. This is the (relatively) new section of the A30 from Honiton to Exeter - the Noisy Bit! All of these three roads are minor roads - and all of them have just the standard fence along them. One feels very vulnerable whilst sitting on a horse and looking down at the traffic whizzing along below! My boy is a sweet chappie and isn't at all fazed by it, but invariably some stupid prat of a motorist (or even bigger silly b***r on a pushbike) thinks its clever to come up behind you when you're crossing over the bridge. The safest place to cross is, obviously, in the middle of the road, and its really scary if you're pushed into the side. Children ride their ponies along these roads too - so perhaps us local riders ought to get organised and get something done. We just don't have anywhere else to ride - another reason we need to organise ourselves and get some bridleways opened up. The council/government seem to fall over backwards to help cyclists but don't give a toss about us. Perhaps they know which way we vote ....
MochaDun
Well-Known Member
Ester did I say that? Oops...anyway I'm impressed this has kicked off so much debate. My main reason for posting it was the attitude from maybe what was a certain minority in the comments made online to the newspaper article but to me possibly says everything more widely about how people view horses on the road today let alone horse riders.
I don't live in the past but the roads up over/under the M5 were never originally unsafe places to ride whether on pushbike or horse and a lot of people have made a lot of effort over recent years to make that area a fantastic place for horse-riders with new trails up on the hills, etc. My mum worried for England yet was quite happy for me to disappear off on friend's ponies or my bike because the traffic was once upon a time accommodating to anyone/anything else that wasn't a car but no more. So the chance of something happening near one of those motorway bridges must have increased substantially.
Do others not think that maybe the attitude of car drivers towards horses on the road has just gone too far and is getting worse? As if the car is always seen to rule supreme and that argument progresses then there could be a time that horses do get banned from certain smaller roads, who knows it could happen I think. I usually have one such experience when I hack out of a weekend, cars speeding, passing too close, etc, I had a man right on my heels last weekend revving his engine in absolute anger and fury until he was able to get past.
PeterNatt thanks for the very useful tips about how to raise such issues about bridge parapets, good to know for the future.
I'm going to ask my local council now where I live how a motorway bridge that is only for riders, cyclists and walkers has the lovely high parapets it does - be interesting to know who campaigned for that.
Anyway I digress...I'm off to my pancakes.
I don't live in the past but the roads up over/under the M5 were never originally unsafe places to ride whether on pushbike or horse and a lot of people have made a lot of effort over recent years to make that area a fantastic place for horse-riders with new trails up on the hills, etc. My mum worried for England yet was quite happy for me to disappear off on friend's ponies or my bike because the traffic was once upon a time accommodating to anyone/anything else that wasn't a car but no more. So the chance of something happening near one of those motorway bridges must have increased substantially.
Do others not think that maybe the attitude of car drivers towards horses on the road has just gone too far and is getting worse? As if the car is always seen to rule supreme and that argument progresses then there could be a time that horses do get banned from certain smaller roads, who knows it could happen I think. I usually have one such experience when I hack out of a weekend, cars speeding, passing too close, etc, I had a man right on my heels last weekend revving his engine in absolute anger and fury until he was able to get past.
PeterNatt thanks for the very useful tips about how to raise such issues about bridge parapets, good to know for the future.
I'm going to ask my local council now where I live how a motorway bridge that is only for riders, cyclists and walkers has the lovely high parapets it does - be interesting to know who campaigned for that.
Anyway I digress...I'm off to my pancakes.
NeilM
Well-Known Member
Wow this threads growing fast, I had trouble getting to the end.
Regarding safety work. Why is the Highways Agency spending millions of pounds reinforcing motorway bridges and installing concrete barrier in the centre of many motorways?
I know the answer so I'll tell you, because the European Parliament raised the maximum load that articulated lorry's can carry. Most of our motorway bridges were designed to withstand an impact from a 38 tonne lorry, now they are past 42 tonnes, there is a chance that a high speed impact from a fully laden lorry would cause structural damage to the bridge.
It has not happened, it may never happen, but millions and millions of pounds are being spent to make sure it cannot happen.
The alternative is to save all that money and the hours of traffic delay that go with the work, and deal with the bridge that collapses onto the M5 or 6 or 25 or wherever. Something the HA clearly and very sensibly don't want to do.
As far as we all know, there has never been a rider or horse fatality due to either (or both) falling onto a motorway, so for that reason alone some here see no reason to increase the height of a couple of bridge parapets, the cost of which would not be borne by the Local Authority, but by the Highways Agency, as motorway structures are their responsibility. Where as the HA seem to think it is better to prevent accidents, rather then scoop up the mess after one. I'm with the HA.
As for crossing Mway bridges; I don't care for height much, so they make me a little edgy, especially the big tall one close to Crook Peak over the M5, doesn't stop me riding over them though, as it's a good road ride.
Regarding safety work. Why is the Highways Agency spending millions of pounds reinforcing motorway bridges and installing concrete barrier in the centre of many motorways?
I know the answer so I'll tell you, because the European Parliament raised the maximum load that articulated lorry's can carry. Most of our motorway bridges were designed to withstand an impact from a 38 tonne lorry, now they are past 42 tonnes, there is a chance that a high speed impact from a fully laden lorry would cause structural damage to the bridge.
It has not happened, it may never happen, but millions and millions of pounds are being spent to make sure it cannot happen.
The alternative is to save all that money and the hours of traffic delay that go with the work, and deal with the bridge that collapses onto the M5 or 6 or 25 or wherever. Something the HA clearly and very sensibly don't want to do.
As far as we all know, there has never been a rider or horse fatality due to either (or both) falling onto a motorway, so for that reason alone some here see no reason to increase the height of a couple of bridge parapets, the cost of which would not be borne by the Local Authority, but by the Highways Agency, as motorway structures are their responsibility. Where as the HA seem to think it is better to prevent accidents, rather then scoop up the mess after one. I'm with the HA.
As for crossing Mway bridges; I don't care for height much, so they make me a little edgy, especially the big tall one close to Crook Peak over the M5, doesn't stop me riding over them though, as it's a good road ride.
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Do others not think that maybe the attitude of car drivers towards horses on the road has just gone too far and is getting worse? As if the car is always seen to rule supreme and that argument progresses then there could be a time that horses do get banned from certain smaller roads, who knows it could happen I think. I usually have one such experience when I hack out of a weekend, cars speeding, passing too close, etc, I had a man right on my heels last weekend revving his engine in absolute anger and fury until he was able to get past.
[/ QUOTE ]
I keep my horse in the centre of Bath - the only place to ride is on the roads really. I probably meet more traffic than the average horse rider but I have never had a problem. Most people are more than happy to wait, and I don't get any abuse. I think most people are very shocked to see a horse going around The Circus and Royal Crescent. I have not experienced the car is supreme attitude thank goodness.
But I am aware that I am sharing the road and I do allow cars to pass me and I ride with the attitude that other road users are going to do me more damage than I will do them so I will minimise that risk.
Do others not think that maybe the attitude of car drivers towards horses on the road has just gone too far and is getting worse? As if the car is always seen to rule supreme and that argument progresses then there could be a time that horses do get banned from certain smaller roads, who knows it could happen I think. I usually have one such experience when I hack out of a weekend, cars speeding, passing too close, etc, I had a man right on my heels last weekend revving his engine in absolute anger and fury until he was able to get past.
[/ QUOTE ]
I keep my horse in the centre of Bath - the only place to ride is on the roads really. I probably meet more traffic than the average horse rider but I have never had a problem. Most people are more than happy to wait, and I don't get any abuse. I think most people are very shocked to see a horse going around The Circus and Royal Crescent. I have not experienced the car is supreme attitude thank goodness.
But I am aware that I am sharing the road and I do allow cars to pass me and I ride with the attitude that other road users are going to do me more damage than I will do them so I will minimise that risk.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
NeilM I am surprised that one hasnt raised sides actually as doesnt that connect up the west mendip way?
jaye1780
Well-Known Member
My friends horse bolted from a bridle path onto a motorway bridge with low sides when she was just a child and she was swung over the edge. She luckily managed to hang onto the horse and was with others to pull her back thank goodness! SO on that note it can happen even without getting to the point of crossing the bridge! Not everyone that rides out is an adult, if a child went over it would be a whole other story from people. If they set a minimum height as standard for the bridges there wouldnt even be the need for this argument. May stop a few bridge jumpers too if they have to climb higher to jump off??? 
WishfulThinker
Well-Known Member
Maybe they need reminded that roads were invented and used for carts and horses originally!
NeilM
Well-Known Member
Neither of the bridges over the M5 new Weston have high parapets, and to be honest I have never given it any thought, but that is probably because I am concentrating of getting over them.
The bridge that leads to the West Mendip way is further down the motorway, close to the Webbington. It's a fair old walk for us, and I've not done it, although my OH has in the past. Might be a nice ride, once the weather improves, to help my fat lad stretch his muscles.
Meet you at the top of Crook Peak?
The bridge that leads to the West Mendip way is further down the motorway, close to the Webbington. It's a fair old walk for us, and I've not done it, although my OH has in the past. Might be a nice ride, once the weather improves, to help my fat lad stretch his muscles.
Meet you at the top of Crook Peak?
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
Those comments were shocking. Some people just don't seem to get that horses are real living beings. Not mechanical.
Some parts of the country are lucky and have proper high sides to these bridges. Near us we haven't got that so I avoid riding across them most of the time.
Some parts of the country are lucky and have proper high sides to these bridges. Near us we haven't got that so I avoid riding across them most of the time.
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
TBH if I expected someone else to cater to every potentially dangerous situation resulting from the actions of other people then my taxes would be sky high...
[/ QUOTE ]
Good grief we agree on something...wait what is that I hear...faint sounds of cracking as hell feezes over
In respect of the work being done to reinforce our central reservations and bridges for the 42 tonners. Surely Artics crash into motorway reservations on at least an annual basis? So they will need to ensure the roads can cope with such crashs. People falling from horse over bridge onto motorway on the other hand is probably as likely as you getting killed by p*ssing into the wind over a metal fence during a lightning storm! Yes it may happen but it's a risk you just have to take.
TBH if I expected someone else to cater to every potentially dangerous situation resulting from the actions of other people then my taxes would be sky high...
[/ QUOTE ]
Good grief we agree on something...wait what is that I hear...faint sounds of cracking as hell feezes over
In respect of the work being done to reinforce our central reservations and bridges for the 42 tonners. Surely Artics crash into motorway reservations on at least an annual basis? So they will need to ensure the roads can cope with such crashs. People falling from horse over bridge onto motorway on the other hand is probably as likely as you getting killed by p*ssing into the wind over a metal fence during a lightning storm! Yes it may happen but it's a risk you just have to take.