A HORSE safety campaign which sparked national and royal interest has led to the continued goal of improving road safety for all vulnerable road users.

The Canewdon Equestrians, who achieved their first goal of reducing the speed limit on Lark Hill Road in Hockley, a narrow country lane, from 60mph to 40mph, have always attempted to widen their campaign, and continue to do so.

The group, co-founded by Claire Lilly and Dawn Mander, launched their campaign in 2016, after a tragic crash on the road, in which Laura Thorogood’s beloved horse, Angel, died after being hit by a car.

Laura is also heavily involved in the organisation of the campaign.

Ms Lilly, explained how the campaign took off and gained support from Mark Francois MP and Princess Anne. The 43-year-old said: “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far. When you look back at what we’ve done it’s just wow.

“We’re so lucky that Laura has been so brave and manages to talk about what happened. It had a huge psychological impact on her.

“It’s all about coming together with cyclists to raise awareness.

“It all started with a discussion page on Facebook. We then had joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians all coming forward and telling us about how dangerous the road is.

“We then campaigned to get the speed limit reduced for years. That was our prime target.

“We had a march through Hockley, with a full police escort, to prove how serious we were. We stopped traffic to hand out leaflets.

“Our Henry Horse programme was then launched as a pilot programme in Holt Farm school and Westerings primary. It was all about teaching children how to treat vulnerable road users when you see them.

“This went nationwide afterwards. It was picked up in Surrey, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire to name a few.”

Claire continued, and described what the next steps are for the campaign. She added: “We’re now campaigning to cut back the grass verges on the road.

“There aren’t enough safe stopping zones for horses along there. We need some so the horses can get out of the way of oncoming traffic.

“Horses are easily spooked. We need to help them as much as we can.”

Ms Lilly stated that the group have complained to Essex County Council, who were contacted for a statement.

Julie Gooding, a councillor of the Hawkwell ward at Rochford Council, remains involved in helping vulnerable road users across the district. She said: “I recently submitted a motion which is aimed at increasing and refurbishing the cycle routes.

“They stop and start in places. They need to be connected.

“They need improving. Some of them are unreachable.”

The councillor explained how she helped Henry’s Horses get off the ground.

She added: “I pitched it to the two schools in Rochford.

“It ensures that the children learn about vulnerable road users and how to treat them.

“The children can then influence their parents. They can tell them to slow down if they know that horses or cyclists use the road.”