APPLEBY horse fair cannot be allowed to carry on "in an uncontrolled and unacceptable manner" and changes must be made to protect public safety, Eden district councillors will hear Thursday night.

Concerns about lack of organisation, management and serious safety risks at Britain's largest horse fair, which attracts thousands of travellers, gypsy horse dealers and visitors every second week in June, will be outlined to members of the environment committee.

They will be asked to support moves to improve public safety, and to discuss issues such as creating temporary stopping places for travellers en route to Fair Hill, and the continued use of unauthorised camp sites.

In his report, Eden director of technical services Steve Huddart says the fair tends

to be viewed "with romanticism" from a distance, but attracts growing numbers of people who "bring in their wake problems of control, law enforcement and general management".

The horse fair has no formal controlling body, but the Appleby New Fair Joint Committee traditionally meets before and after the event for a review. The committee includes parish, town, district and county councillors, travellers' representatives, council officers, police, RSPCA and DEFRA.

The 2002 horse fair attracted so much hostility and criticism from villagers about lack of organisation particularly from Sandford residents, where more than 100 caravans set up camp that it was agreed the fair committee should try to secure improvements. Issues being explored include:

l The "urgent need" for man-agement control, with an overall professional event manager being a "desirable" option.

The racing of horses and sulkies near the Rising Sun on Long Marton Road at more than 30mph, with several hundred spectators, gives the most grave safety concerns, says the report. It has been suggested a purpose-designed racing lane could be provided on private land at Clickham Farm.

Appleby police are looking into the introduction of park-and-ride for the 2003 fair, to help ease "gridlock", particularly on the Sunday, when up to 30,000 vehicles come into Appleby.

Committee members have visited Cotemoor, Ravenstonedale, to discuss problems with the farmer who suffers most from damage caused by travellers setting up camp before the fair. The provision of toilets and a rubbish skip is being considered.

Eden district councillors are to meet at Penrith Town Hall Thursday at 6.45pm to discuss the way ahead for the fair, and how the council can help to improve public safety.

January 8, 2003 08:30