THE racehorse community in a North Yorkshire town has expressed concerns over the slippery road surface and increased traffic which they say is putting horses and riders at risk.

Gemma Hogg, assistant trainer at Mickey Hammond’s stables in Middleham – known as the Newmarket of the North with 13 trainers based there – said riders and motorists are currently jostling for space on the market town’s narrow roads and called for greater awareness of riders.

She said: “The road has got really slippery and it’s dangerous. The top layer of tarmac has come away so we have to use the middle of the road where there is more grit – but of course that puts riders and horses in a more dangerous position.

“We do want drivers to be aware that we are riding in the middle of the road for a reason, and of course there needs to be courtesy from both rider and driver – but the road situation does need addressing otherwise there will be an accident."

Ms Hogg, who has worked at Mr Hammond’s stables for 16 years, said there had also been an increase in traffic through the town in recent years, something she puts down to the popularity of nearby outdoor adventure park, Forbidden Corner.

However Middleham Mayor Tammi Tolhurst said the town council had always ensured the opening times of the park were restricted to benefit and protect the racing community and the training timetable.

She said: “The road needs to be resurfaced every year – this is not a new problem.

“It is the horses’ hooves that make the road slippery, but I’m not sure if the council will be able to go on replacing the road surface annually forever, what with increased austerity cuts."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “The council has recently carried out highways testing in the Middleham area after concerns from local residents about the condition of the road surface. The tests confirmed that the carriageway does comply with grip for road users.

“However, in response to concerns, the council plans to lay additional stone chippings to further improve the grip in some areas, including parts of Moor Road.

“For the work to be carried out, the highways team need to wait for suitable weather, but the repairs have been scheduled to take place in the next few weeks.”