Horse-drawn carriage operator slams ‘very, very political’ proposed CBD ban

Horse-drawn carriages are set to be banned in the CBD under changes to the road rules being proposed by the Andrews Government.

Under the changes, they’d be banned within the Hoddle Grid.

Announcing the changes, Roads Minister Ben Carroll  said the government has “heard the community’s concerns about horse drawn carriages and this proposal will improve safety for everyone on some of our busiest streets.

He said the government will continue to work with road safety partners, the RSPCA and the community to ensure animal welfare and safety.

Owner of Unique Carriage Hire, Dean Crichton, only learnt of the changes being put forward last night.

He says he doesn’t know if it’s a road safety issue, or an animal rights issue.

“I honestly don’t know,” he told Ross and Russel.

“I do believe it’s very, very political.”

Mr Crichton says the industry is “getting smashed because of all these lobby groups”.

One of the horses pulling a carriage collapsed and died in North Melbourne in March, but Mr Crichton denies there’s a problem.

“It’s just full of rubbish what they’re carrying on about,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Mr Crichton’s reaction to the proposed changes

But campaign director at Melbourne Against Horse-Drawn Carriages, Kristen Leigh, says “the people of Melbourne are sick of seeing horses tied up all day in  environments that are completely inappropriate for them”.

“They’re unable to graze, they’re unable to move freely, they take over the bike lanes forcing bikes into traffic, they repeatedly break road safety rules,” she told Neil Mitchell.

“It’s a completely ridiculous environment for these horses to be in.”

Press PLAY below to hear why Kristen Leigh says this is “a win”