FOUR-LEGGED modes of transport in Grassington are foot-sure once again now that a non-slip surface has been laid along the highway.

Back in May, equine owners complained that a newly laid road surface stretching down the hill from the doctor's surgery to the Threshfield side of the bridge was so slippery horses could not walk on it safely.

Riders were even struggling to lead their mounts because the state-of-the-art surface, put down during the traffic calming work, provided no grip for steel horseshoes.

Susan Midgley, of Wood Lane, herself a horse owner and welfare representative for the British Horse Society, said the surface was dangerous and that she had almost had a terrible accident when her horse's hind legs went from under him while trying to walk down the hill among the traffic.

Overnight, access to a bridlepath near the bridge became virtually impossible because of the road surface.

Inquiries to the British Horse Society discovered it was a problem which was being experienced by other horse riders throughout the country.

Dave Wilson, assistant divisional engineer with North Yorkshire County Council's highways department, said the new surface had only been developed recently and scored highly in all departments as far as traffic was concerned.

It cut down on tyre roar and rumble noises, probably saved on wear and tear because of less friction, and even saved the environment because it was only laid in a thin layer and created less landfill when it had to be replaced.

But he added that highways was concerned with the welfare of all road users.

He suggested that a strip of ordinary road surface be put along each side of the road for the horses to walk on, thus making everyone happy.

"We were grateful that Mr Wilson understood our problem, but then we were approached by some carriage drivers who said a single strip would be no good for them," Mrs Midgley explained.

It was back to the drawing board for the highways department, but Mr Wilson came up trumps for the riders once again.

He asked Mrs Midgley to look at the surface of the road leading up the Bailey out of Skipton which is covered with a thin layer of micro chippings.

"I went along with my horse to try it out rather tongue-in-cheek," she said. "To be honest, the surface didn't look any different, it looked just as smooth, but it was brilliant. My horse didn't slip at all and I was very impressed."

This same surface now graces the road through Grassington and the riders once more have access to the bridge and beyond.

And although it was a few weeks later than hoped in being put down, it has proved a hit with horses and riders as well as carriage drivers.