Keele neighbourhood plan representations

Sustainable Transport

Cycling and pedestrian access is not inclusive or representative of all who travel actively: HoC Transport Committee Active travel: increasing levels of walking and cycling in England Eleventh Report of Session 2017–19 Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report (London, 2019): “Active travel covers any journey that is made by physically active means, and covers such diverse activities as horse riding, skateboarding, roller skating, and riding a scooter.” p6. Development creates responsibility for improvement to green infrastructure (NPPF para105) and routes should be multi-user. If equestrians are ‘designed out’ this will have the effect of increasing MPV travel a) of owners to reach their horses relocated for better off-road riding and b) of horses to travel to areas with off-road riding.

It is positive to see the intention of KNP11 although NPPF TR8 goes further and could be incorporated here. Only 16.4% of PRoW are bridleway or byway in Staffordshire, excluding equestrians from the vast majority of the off-road network. In 2025 British Horse Society recorded 2,810 road incidents involving horses; 59 horses died, 82 were injured and 86 people were injured. A serious road incident not only causes distress to those involved but costs the public purse £2.7M (DfT, 2024) therefore safe off-road access and improved road safety are fundamental in any new development.

New developments/SUEs often include green infrastructure but because it has no formal status and residents pay maintenance fees, it is often inaccessible for public use to walkers, cyclists and equestrians. Public multi-user access should be provided for and committed to within any outline agreements with developers.

Equestrian activity generates £5bn pa nationally towards the total £22 bn generated by outdoor recreation (Reconomics 3.0, 2026) and has a social value of £1.2billion - wellbeing, social connection and physical health (BEF, 2025). There are 767 horses registered in the ST5 area which equates to £5,282,329 contribution (DEFRA, 2024; British Equestrian Trade Association, 2025).