I FEEL the need to respond to the article about four wheel drive vehicles being allowed on the Ridgeway path.

I am a horse owner who used to feel that the Ridgeway was a safe haven away from cars and motorbikes, but no longer feel this way.

I have been met by a delivery lorry, a large horsebox and even a postman.

The most frightening experience I have had was approaching a blind bend on the Ridgeway only to hear a lot of scramblers coming at speed towards me.

My horse whipped round and took off. I did gain control and passed the bikes, but this could have been a nasty accident.

As for the state of the path, in places it is absolutely horrendous while out on my youngster she lost her footing due to deep ruts caused by vehicles and fell on top of me. Luckily I landed partly in a rut saving me from the full weight of my horse on top of me.

This has stopped me riding on this particular part of the path.

With the volume of traffic on the roads now and the speed at which they travel, the Ridgeway should not be a place for motorists.

I wear a fluorescent bib which reads 'caution young horse'. This doesn't mean anything to some motorists I have been sworn at and told to get off the road.

What is happening to the roads and paths around here?

Is it safe nowhere!

NICOLA ALLEN

Markham Road, Wroughton