Now the pikies own the roads
Discussion
It appears that the Queen has given up ownership of the highways. 
Impromptu?? I don’t think so.
EDP24 said:
Cart race holds up A47 traffic
05 December 2005 18:25
Police said they had received no complaints about an unauthorised horse and cart race which held up traffic on the A47.
An impromptu “sulky race” - an old-fashioned practice using horses and lightweight carts - caused delays for motorists near Dereham.
A moving roadblock of four cars prevented vehicles passing as two carts pulled by two horses competed at a trotting speed.
The race took place along a two-mile northbound stretch of the road at about 8.15am on Sunday and, as it arrived at the Dereham turn-off, was greeted by a crowd of about 30 people.
It is believe the race was illegal but the police have not received any complaints - possibly because the road was not busy at the time.
A witness, who asked not to be identified, said: “The traffic suddenly slowed and we did not know what was going on, at first we thought it was an accident or something. Then we saw this race between two carts - apparently it's a popular activity among the travelling community.
“It held up the traffic for some time and seemed to draw a large crowd. I've never seen anything like it before. Some drivers were flashing their lights and trying to get past so I suppose it could have been quite dangerous. But the cars that were blocking the road just wouldn't budge.”
A spokesman for Norfolk police said the force had not been notified of the race in advance but had not received any complaints from motorists.
“Obviously we are concerned about anything that holds up traffic but on this occasion we received no reports. It is possible that if the race happened so early on a Sunday morning it did not cause enough inconvenience for somebody to report it,” he added.
A sulky is a lightweight two-wheeled, single-seat racing cart that is mainly used at a trotting speed in harness races. They originate from the United States and Australia but are used all over the word.
Impromptu?? I don’t think so.
Don said:
When cycle race marshalls hold up traffic that's usually illegal too.
I'm not condoning it, mind.
People should not use the public roads for competition without prior permission and road closure.
Exactly but cycling ortganisation holding an illegal race, or more precisely acting illegally, get away with it.
Horse and cart racing ditto.
Try holding an official competition in motor vehicles on the public highway and unless you are persil the keys get thrown away.
As in there I bet wouldn't have to be a complaint from a MoP for action to be taken.
Then again we see the failure to deal effectively with outrageous behaviour by animal rights activists.
All animals are equal bla bla bla......, motorists are bottom of the pile it seems.
just spilled my coffee you bar-steward! Flat in Fifth said:
Try holding an official competition in motor vehicles on the public highway and unless you are persil the keys get thrown away.
not always. official motor clubs (ie, universities etc) hold legal rallies on the raods at night without having to close the roads. we (bristol uni motor club) hold about 5 a year. absolutley great fun and by far the cheapest way you can partake in competetive motor sport.
chris
Don said:
When cycle race marshalls hold up traffic that's usually illegal too.
People should not use the public roads for competition without prior permission and road closure.
Official (mass start) cycle racing can't take place without prior police approval. One of the reasons cycling isn't a big sport in the UK as it is on the continent is the obdurate attitude of the Police and Officialdom. All the entrants will be licensed and insured.
If anybody tried to organise a mass start cycle race on public roads they'd be in the sh
t with the BiB and the Cycling Authorities. Time trials (one off at a time against the clock) usually start at ridiculously early times at weekends. Nearly always held on flat straight courses where inconvenience for the few motorists around is minimal. Not sure whether prior aprroval is sought but again the entrants will be licensed and insured.
Most cyclists you'll see aren't racing even if there's quite a big group. No law to stop people going out for a ride together. Hence the kerfuffle about 'critical mass'.
Racing horse buggies on a public road is taking the piss and should have been prosecuted irrespective of complaint.
speedychrissie said:
Try holding an official competition in motor vehicles on the public highway and unless you are persil the keys get thrown away.
not always. official motor clubs (ie, universities etc) hold legal rallies on the raods at night without having to close the roads. we (bristol uni motor club) hold about 5 a year. absolutley great fun and by far the cheapest way you can partake in competetive motor sport.
chris
That isn't quite the point. Closed roads are one thing, much much easier to obtain closure orders for other forms of sport than rallying.
I think you will find that road rallies are subject to Motor Vehicle (Competitions and Trials) Regulations. That even applies to a treasure hunt using public highway.
My point, speaking as someone with experience of both organising and competing side of road and stage events, (see profile pic
)is that even for 12 cars there are definite and onerous rules to be followed. I have never organised or been involved with an event outwith those rules, and I would argue most other clubs are the same. OK pirate events do take part, but if they are caught action would be taken by police and RACMSA. Wouldn't need a MoP complaint, though agreed that is likely to be the route that such an event would come to attention of the powers that be. (TPTB)
Here we are talking about events (cycle racing) which are organised but in some (rare) cases without due regard for the legislation which DOES apply to such events, but that marshalls regularly act outside their authority and the law. What do TPTB do? Stuff all mostly.
The thread is originally about an event organised totally outside any rules or regulations and outside acceptable behaviour. The we'll do what we like and **** you mentality.
Think of this, what would happen on your university road rally if someone rang up plod to say, I came to this junction with a minor road and was held up by some marshalls so that these rally cars could have priority to proceed over a give way line. Yes I do know the "Give way" rules for road events. Do you think plod would give same non-reaction as resulted for the pikey horse racers?
Unless you really are saying that Bristol Uni MC are running illegal events in which case we'll see you at Colnbrook sharpish Monday morning.
you are correct in the fact that rules of the road must be observed and permits must be obtained etc. but a situation similar to one you described (public stopped by a marshal) would never occur because we only have marshals at the check points to record what time you start/finish a stage.
the general public dont know that we are running a rally, they dont even know that we are a motor club (they are more likely to think we are some rural dogging society!)
ps. i do agree with the main thread in that the idea of running "impromptu cart races" on public road is incredibly stupid. the only reason i replied to your original post was to say that road competition is possible if you run within rules and get permits.
chris
the general public dont know that we are running a rally, they dont even know that we are a motor club (they are more likely to think we are some rural dogging society!)
ps. i do agree with the main thread in that the idea of running "impromptu cart races" on public road is incredibly stupid. the only reason i replied to your original post was to say that road competition is possible if you run within rules and get permits.
chris
D_Mike said:
Has anyone else seen/got a picture of the sign on that road near west wittering (?) that says "No horse drawn carriage racing". It's on a dual carriageway.
Haven't got a picture but it is on the A27 just east of Chichester/Goodwood as you pass the Tangmere round about on the way to Fontwell (the next round about).
H
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