HC Deb 15 May 1888 vol 326 cc313-4
BARON DE ROTHSCHILD (Bucks, Aylesbury)

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware that about 20 accidents, the last of them terminating fatally, have occurred during the past five years at the entrance to Rotten Row; and, whether he will consider the advisability of levelling and altering the stone crossing where all these accidents have happened, and by which they are believed to have been caused?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)

I am aware that accidents have happened—one very sad one ending, I am sorry to say, fatally—at the crossing at the east end of Rotten Row, and I shall certainly do all I can to diminish the risk of such deplorable occurrences; but, of course, there must be a crossing for pedestrians, and people on horseback will, I hope, on their part exercise caution in pulling up their horses before getting off the Ride.

SIR ALGERNON BORTHWICK (Kensington, S.)

asked, whether it was not precisely when riders had no con- trol over their horses that these accidents occurred; and, whether the paved crossing was not placed just at the spot where a runaway horse would be most dangerous?

MR. PLUNKET

said, that was very likely to be so, and he should be glad to consider suggestions that might be made to minimize the danger.

BARON DE ROTHSCHILD

said, the danger arose, not from the horses cantering, but, as had been stated, from runaway horses.

PLUNKET

said, danger must always arise from runaway horses; but the attention of the Board should be particularly directed to the matter.