Three-year pony and trap racing ban approved

A council has approved a three-year ban on pony and trap racing along a major road.

West Oxfordshire District Council voted for a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to combat racing on the A40 between Burford and Witney.

The authority held a six-week consultation and Conservative councillor Liam Walker said 97% of respondents backed the proposals.

Thames Valley Police previously issued dispersal orders for planned pony and trap racing events around the A40 in Burford and on Lower Road in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire.

Speaking at the meeting, Insp Chris Ball said the force currently did not have "any effective legislation we can use on that piece of carriageway".

"What I'm looking for is a power that I can utilise to obtain people's names and addresses," he said.

"That then allows me to look at taking further action against them, such as criminal behaviour orders."

He added that the racing "has quite a significant impact on the community because it is a major arterial road and quite frankly, it's dangerous as well".

Mr Walker said the proposal was "not about restricting traditional pursuits or penalising our rural way of life".

"It is about keeping our community safe and protecting the quality of life for residents, road users and the animals themselves."

He said the results of the consultation, which ran until 21 November, were "crystal clear".

"That level of community backing speaks volumes about residents' concerns for safety and their desire for positive, practical action," he added.

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