A FRESH row has blown up over the length of time City of York Council is taking to tackle the dangers posed by horses tethered on verges.

Two councillors, Jenny Brooks and Mark Warters, say they fear a motorist could die by crashing into an escaped animal before the authority takes action to enforce existing laws next year.

Dunnington councillor Coun Brooks said: “After the accidents that have happened this year, I am worried that another accident could happen. I just hope that there isn’t another before something is done.”

She said residents of Holtby had told her they were afraid to use the bus at night when horses were tethered by the bus stops.

Osbaldwick councillor Coun Warters said there should be an immediate enforcement of highways legislation and claimed that if someone died in coming weeks, the family of the dead person would have a case for corporate manslaughter.

But Coun Williams hit back, saying complaints to the council about tethered horses dated back to the mid-1990s but he was the first cabinet member to put forward a paper which sought to specifically address the issue.

“Instead of welcoming this action, which will do everything he has been calling for, Coun Warters has chosen to complain that it will take a few months to implement,” he said.

“I am proposing a balanced approach, that will reduce the number of horses, provide alternative grazing options and will enforce the law with those who choose to continue to use our grass verges in this way.

“It will take a few months to put right a problem that has existed for many years, but the end outcome will be one that Coun Warters should welcome.”