6 incidents involving horses recorded every week on North West roads

SHOCKING new statistics by equine charity, The British Horse Society have revealed that horses are still being injured on our roads at an alarming rate, with an average of 6 incidents involving horses recorded each week in the North West.

Across the Region, a total of 323 horse related incidents were recorded with the BHS in 2023. Cheshire experienced the most incidents last year with 116, followed by Greater Manchester with 74 and then Lancashire with 71 incidents.

These figures are a stark reminder that road incidents involving equestrians continue to persist. This is despite the changes implemented in the Highway Code in 2022, which set out clear guidance for passing equestrians safely.

Overall, 3,383 incidents were recorded via the BHS's Horse i app in 2023 across the UK, with 85% of those occurring because a vehicle passed by too closely or too quickly.

Director of Safety at The British Horse Society, Alan Hiscox explains:- "Looking at the 2023 statistics, it is clear that a significant number of drivers are still unaware of the advice in the Highway Code and the importance of driving carefully when passing and approaching horses. A horse's instinctive response to danger is to react and move very quickly. Understandably, a driver passing at an inappropriate speed can be intimidating for the horse and be cause for alarm. That is why it is so important for drivers to consider the true power of horses, and to pass horses slowly and with plenty of room, following the advice in the Highway Code."

As part of their Dead Slow road safety campaign, the BHS continue to inform and involve road users on how to pass horses safely as well as how impactful passing horses too quickly and closely can be.

The equine charity are urging drivers to pass horses at no more than 10mph and to leave at least two metres distance. These key behavioural messages align with the guidance set out in the Highway Code.

Alan added:- "Far too many lives have been lost over the last 10 years and we are working hard to drastically reduce the number of incidents that take place across the UK. While we recognise and thank all drivers who continue to follow the Highway Code guidance, there is still much work to do, ensuring horses and equestrians are safer when out on the roads. Unfortunately, it isn't always possible for equestrians to stay off the roads due to the shrinking bridleway network. That is why it's so important that we all play our part to make sure everyone remains safe."

The BHS is also offering clear advice for equestrians to follow when out on the roads with their horse, including wearing hi-vis and reflective equipment as well as using the appropriate hand signals to make other road users aware of their intentions to manoeuvre.

Alongside this, the equine charity is urging equestrians, and the wider public, to log any equine related safety incidents using the Horse i app. The more incidents that are recorded, the more the BHS can do to protect the rights of equestrians on Britain's roads.

To learn more about The British Horse Society's Dead Slow campaign and how you can help, visit:- BHSs.Org.UK.

Liverpool's Supported Internships get cash boost

LIVERPOOL City Council has been awarded over �360,000 to fund a pioneering pilot that will support young people in Liverpool into employment.

The Council is one of only 12 local authorities to bid successfully to be part of a national supported internship programme pilot. The pilot is for young people with special educational needs, or learning difficulties, and / or a neurodiverse condition who don't have an Education Health and Care Plan and would like to take part in a structured work study placement.

The Department for Education has awarded the grant funding to Liverpool as a result of its existing successful Intern to Work Supported Internship Programme. In the last 12 months, the programme has seen 55 young people placed with employers ranging from the public sector, such as the NHS and HM Revenue and Customs, to private companies, such as:- Holiday Inn, Marriot and The Sovini Group, with many young people being offered full time positions at the end of their internships.

Cllr Lila Bennett, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills:- "This funding endorses the commitment that Liverpool has already given to supporting inclusive opportunities for young people which is embodied in Pillar two of the Council Plan; high quality and inclusive education, skills and employment. Our Intern to Work programme has seen great success over the last few years in helping young people who may feel excluded from the jobs market to develop the skills and confidence needed to gain employment. Supported internships are not only great for the young people there are also so many benefits for employers. Anyone running a business or organisation that is interested in finding out more should get in touch with the team or come along to the networking event in March."

Across the 2 year pilot, it's expected that 70 young people will take part in the 6 month internships. Young people who are interested are invited to attend information sessions; either online or in person:

The next event is on:- Friday, 1 March 2024, at the:- PINS Social Club Liverpool, Duke Street, from:-12:30 to 2:30pm. It is for ages:- 16 to 25, with or without EHCP, starting September 2024. To book a place please visit:- Eventbrite.Co.UK.

Any young person who is interested in an internship but cannot attend an event can also contact:- InternToWork@Liverpool.Gov.UK for more information.

Jo Cree, Deputy Headteacher, Princes Primary School, which has supported the Intern to Work scheme:- "This is a really brilliant programme to get involved with. Interns are supported right the way through and they are so hardworking, really want to do a good job and really want to impress. I'd encourage anyone to get involved."

Supported internships offer young people a structured pathway into the world of work. Throughout the programme, each intern has a place in an education setting, such as City of Liverpool College, for a six-week programme where they are supported to become:- "work ready" and a suitable employer is identified to match their interests. During the internship, the intern will continue to attend College 1 day a week to develop skills matched to their employment. And there are also opportunities for employers to become involved and offer placements for internships.

Employers are invited to come along to a Business Breakfast to mark National Supported Internship Day on:- Wednesday, 27 March 2024, from:- 10am noon, at the:- Holiday Inn Express, Royal Albert Dock. To book a place please visit:- Eventbrite.Co.UK.

Tom, former intern at Liverpool University Hospitals, now employed at Schuh, Liverpool, said:- "Do a supported internship because it's not only a life changer it is a game changer for people with disabilities as well. I know for a fact that there are people who don't have faith in themselves for being labelled as having a disability; so I'd tell them to do an internship."

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6 incidents involving horses recorded every week on North West roads

Liverpool's Supported Internships get cash boost