Horse riders' danger road fears

Sue Wilson, from Magham Down, says cars are swerving too quickly around a blind corner on the brow of Carters Corner Hill on Cowbeech Road.

She is worried children on ponies, equestrians, cyclists and pedestrians could get hurt.

Ms Wilson, a retired housing officer, said: 'We are in fear of our lives when drivers overtake us on the hill from the Cowbeech direction.

'The horses get very anxious and children have difficulty controlling their ponies.

'There have been many screeching of brakes incidents, and on one occasion a car skidded to a halt on the other side of the road.

'Mercifully, nothing was coming the other way.'

The horse riders try to stop traffic overtaking from behind if they hear cars coming around the corner.

Ms Wilson added: 'Some drivers don't appreciate the fact that we are only trying to keep everyone safe.'

East Sussex County Council has refused her request to prevent cars overtaking by painting double white lines in the centre of the road.

It says the crash record for the road is not high enough.

A spokesman said: 'This stretch of road has a very good accident record and therefore is not a high priority.

'There has been only one accident involving injury in the last three years and this was not caused by a vehicle overtaking.'Double white lines would not prevent vehicles overtaking a horse and rider if they are travelling at 10 miles-per-hour or less.'

Ms Wilson's friend Caroline Wood was also dreading what might happen on the road.

She said: 'We are both experienced riders who ride well schooled horses and we are committed to road safety.

'With winter approaching and with limited day light we are aware of potential dangers.'`

The council will review the speed limit from Amberstone to Carter's Corner and may put other types of road markings down to help road users.

What do you think? Do you believe this stretch of the Cowbeech Road is dangerous for road users? Email us at [email protected]