Bradford Council is forcing young horse riders onto busy roads by shutting them out of a Thackley field, a campaigner claims.

Tomorrow, Christine Hardaker, of the British Horse Society, will hand over a petition of more than 150 names to councillors, demanding the removal of restrictions on horses at Birkhill Recreation Ground.

At the start of the summer holidays, the Council installed a sign at the entrance banning horses, bringing it in line with other Council-run sites.

Local riders say the field has been horse friendly for decades, but the Council says the field must conform to Council bylaws, which excludes horses.

In 2010, the authority fenced off the field and made it grazing land. After public outcry, councillors decided to make it an official recreation ground.

A report to the area committee says the field is: “Frequently used by other users which could lead to problems if horses were to be in the recreational space. The presence of horses being exercised on the site would pose a potential risk from a health and safety perspective.”

Although the Council says it received complaints about horses on the field, Mrs Hardaker said there have only been about three, adding: “This land was used by a lot of young riders. Most of the other bridle ways cut across main roads, so riders and their parents feel safer using this land. There have been a few near misses on the roads because drivers get very impatient with horse riders. I know one girl who is quite upset that she can’t use this park anymore.

“The Council says it’s health and safety, but no-one I know can remember any accidents there, although there have been plenty on the roads.

“It is a very valuable amenity and this petition says we have the right to ride here. I feel riders are being pushed out onto the roads where there is a lot more risk of an accident. It seems very unfair. The council should be giving young people more places to ride horses.”

Bill Craven has lived on neighbouring Park Lane for more than 50 years, and said he always remembers horses being ridden on the land. He added: “They are trying to prevent horses on there, but most people don’t seem to object. That piece of land has always been used for horses and hopefully always will.”