So why does the national speed limit begin at Warren Hill, allowing cars to travel at up to 60mph alongside one of Newmarket’s busiest horse-training areas?

I was asked by Jockey Club Estates to meet on site and see if I could help in some way. After hearing reports of horses becoming loose, running into the road and riders and motorists being put at serious risk, I decided to put together a campaign called “Neigh to 60.”

The campaign is calling for the existing speed arrangements along Moulton Road through Warren Hill to be urgently reviewed, with the aim of finding a safer, practical solution for a stretch of road used daily by horses, riders and other road users.

One suggestion is to extend the existing 30mph section further up Moulton Road, with the national speed limit beginning nearer Warren Towers rather than at the bottom of Warren Hill. That seems an eminently sensible place to start.

I have also been told that this has been an ongoing issue for a number of years, with numerous incidents along Moulton Road.

I don’t believe a 60mph speed limit is appropriate on a stretch of road where horses are regularly riding alongside traffic and crossing the carriageway.

When you have frightened horses, exposed riders and traffic travelling at open-road speeds, it only takes one bad moment for this to become a tragedy.

We should not have to wait for somebody to be seriously injured before taking a foreseeable safety risk seriously.

The response to the campaign has been strong, with people getting in touch to share their own experiences and concerns about safety along Moulton Road.

I have contacted Suffolk County Council for an urgent on-site review and am calling on the relevant County Councillors to raise this as a matter of high priority. I am also asking West Suffolk Council and Newmarket Town Council to lend their support.

Suffolk County Council’s own transport policy describes the safety of horses and their riders as an “underlying theme” for transport in Newmarket. I now want to see that principle put into practice.

Everything always seems to take too long. But I’m hoping this is dealt with quickly.

Wouldn’t that make a refreshing change.

And I’m also hopeful that our request for a speed reduction will be a Yay, not a Neigh!

I can raise this, push for the review and keep the pressure on, but I can’t do it alone. If you agree that Warren Hill needs to be made safer for horses, riders and everyone using the road, please lend me your support.

You can find the Neigh to 60 campaign video on my Councillor Facebook page – please watch it and share it if you agree.

What do you think about the speed limit on Warren Hill? Are cars driving too fast? Feel free to get in touch via my email at the bottom of the page.

Until next time, take care,

Janne Jarvis