Signs bid to warn of cows (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Signs bid to warn of cows

4:30pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

A Wiltshire councillor is calling for warning signs to be put up by a Chippenham footpath where a woman was trampled to death by cows two weeks ago today.

Sandra Wiltshire and her dog Bruce were injured after being trampled by the herd in a field near Riverside Drive, and both later died.

The 68-year-old lived in Carrick Close in the ward of Coun Chris Caswill, and now he wants action taken to make the route safer for other walkers.

“It is terrible what has happened and we need to try to ensure we don’t get a repeat of this kind of incident.

“The paths along the river there are very popular with walkers and dog walkers who may be unaware of the risks.

“For that we need some clear signage on paths around the area. I have written to the council to ask what can be done to ensure some better signs are put up.”

There are two paths in the area of the tragedy, one a public footpath and the other a permitted access route through private land. It was on the latter that Mrs Wiltshire was walking.

“It may only be a permitted access path but it still has a stile leading into it and walkers aren’t likely to know the difference,” added Coun Caswill. “They should be made aware there could be livestock in the field.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We have received Coun Caswill’s letter on the tragic incident and will be looking into his requests. Any action we take will be on the advice of the Health and Safety Executive and the coroner’s report.”