§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of local enactments making it an offence for horse riders to make use of grass verges alongside highways if regularly mown, and his decision that grass verges are no longer to be mown, he intends to introduce any proposals for clarifying the rights of horse riders in the new situation.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo. The provisions of such local enactments are intended to protect amenity areas on highway verges. It is for the highway authorities concerned to decide whether or not specific lengths of verge need continued protection. So far as trunk roads are concerned, although cutting as a general practice has been abandoned, it will continue to be carried out in special circumstances which may include the preservation of amenity in urban areas.