Scottish Riders petition for safer road crossing

Friday, 4 March 2011 16:52

Riders are campaigning for a safe crossing at a new section of dual carriageway being built in Inverness-shire.

Transport Scotland plans will mean the existing crossing point on the A9 at Etteridge will no longer be useable, cutting riders, walkers and cyclists off from the 300-year-old Wade's Military Road.

Riding centre owner Ruaridh Ormiston has set up a petition, signed by almost 800 people so far, calling for an underpass. "This hill track route is a formal right of way on both sides of the A9 and the crossing should be considered the same," said Mr Ormiston.

Helene Mauchlen of the British Horse Society Scotland said a crossing point was important for safe off-road riding in the area. Clearly if this issue is not pushed forward riders will be risking too much to ride in the area, and will be forced to find other locations to hack.

And Bob Grant of the Cairngorms National Parks Authority said it had alerted Transport Scotland to the issues for byway users.

Sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42892.html.