Drivers urged to stay away from closed Chesterfield road after woman's horse injured by 'speeding' car

Crow Lane was closed to traffic in June last year to create a walking and cycling route between Chesterfield railway station and the Royal Hospital.

However, it has not been blocked off completely because access is required for a business and properties.

Leanda Calvert, 47, who lives on Crow Lane, says the road ‘is not fit for two-way traffic’ and especially ‘not at the speed vehicles use it’.

In December, one of her horses was injured due to a driver ‘thinking he could pass through Crow Lane at speed’.

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"I was walking Bella across the lane from our house to her field and a car came around the corner at some speed,” Leanda said.

"We had nowhere to go but the hedge bottom, and she damaged her ligament and tendon. She’s already had two scans and still very lame so we’re unable to ride her at all.

"She’s 21-years-old so I’m not sure if she will recover enough to be ridden again.”

Leanda said she is concerned not only about her horses but also cyclists and walkers.

She added: "I really do understand that it would be a far quicker route into town, it definitely would for me, but it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Other residents have objected to the closure of Crow Lane – with hundreds of people signing a petition to reopen the route amid claims they were not consulted.

They say there are ‘numerous’ cycle tracks and bridleways in the area which could have been considered.

Crow Lane now forms part of the route a proposed east to west cycling route being proposed by council leaders.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We were aware of this accident and hope that the rider and horse are well on their way to a full recovery.

“We do have plenty of road closed signs giving people ample time to turn around before they meet the concrete blocks. We cannot block the road off completely as access is required for a business and properties.

“We’d urge all road users to take notice of the road closed signs to protect those walking, on bikes or on horseback.”

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