Safety fears to prompt council to consider axing rule allowing horse riding on Hayling beach

Havant Borough Council is looking again at a 40-year-old by-law that allows horse-riding on Hayling Island beach.

The by-law allows horse-riding on the beach before 10am and after 7pm but the council said the rule was putting beach users at risk, as people have been riding on the coastal stretch outside of these times.

Officials at the authority said there was ‘now a significant risk of an accident’ happening due to the soaring number of sun-seekers now hitting the beach.

Councillor Gary Hughes, deputy leader of the council and Hayling seafront strategy boss, said: ‘During the recent sunny spell there have been a number of incidents where irresponsible horse-riding has posed a risk to people on the beach.

‘I accept that riding on the shoreline is an activity that has been preserved in our local laws for many decades. However, if it puts other beach users in danger then we must consider whether it is appropriate to allow it to continue during the summer season.’

The council is also monitoring parking around the beaches with some cars blocking access to emergency vehicles.

On Thursday the council issued 50 penalty charge notices to cars parked illegally in Ferry Road and the surrounding area.

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