This year’s Appleby Horse Fair is just over a month away and people who are bringing caravans are reminded not to arrive too early.
People arriving too can cause difficulties in surrounding areas, particularly as stopping places are very limited.
Gypsy and Traveller representative Billy Welch, a member of the Multi Agency Co-ordinating Group, which works to make the fair safer each year, said: “With the number of temporary stopping places continuing to fall year-on-year, the call for people not to arrive too soon is more important than ever and is a message I support.
“Whilst there are bow tops who obviously have no choice but to set off early, most people do have the choice.
“Please think carefully about your travel plans prior to setting off and stay far out from Appleby prior to the fair.
“Finally, and most importantly, I ask everyone to be extra careful on the roads to make sure that everyone completes their journey safely.”
Steph Cordon, chair of the group (MASCG) and director of thriving communities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “Please do not come to the fair early.
“People arriving too soon can cause significant disruption and difficulties, including on the road network.
“On behalf of all the agencies responding to the fair I ask that people travel as safely as possible.
“Look out for slow-moving vehicles in and around Cumbria in the coming weeks as we approach the 2025 fair so that everyone reaches their destination safely.”
Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, of Cumbria police, said: “Safety is our number one priority in the run-up to the fair, during the fair and as people leave the area.
“As has been the case in recent years, we will have officers across the county – including Cumbria’s dedicated roads policing unit – on the lookout for dangerous driving behaviour and vehicles which are not road-worthy.
“We will not hesitate to take action against such drivers, including towing away vehicles if necessary.
“I make no apologies for this approach which we adopted last year and which helped contribute to one of the safest fairs in recent years for road safety.”
The group said it remained keen to expand the number of stopping places and if any local landowners think they may have suitable land that could be made available, they can call Westmorland and Furness Council’s environmental health team on 0300 373 3300.
