Access to the River Eden at Appleby Horse Fair has reopened.
The ramp on The Sands and Jubilee Ford were closed yesterday, Thursday June 4, because the water levels were too high.
It said river levels in Appleby were monitored constantly during the fair and following heavy rain on Wednesday, the river level rose to 1.42m, well above the 0.5m depth that triggered a safety review.
Today, Friday June 5, the RSPCA’s specialist water rescue officers inspected the river and attempted to clear the riverbed of debris around the ramp on The Sands in the morning, but river levels were still too high.
However, a reinspection was carried out this afternoon and the specialists are satisfied that the key conditions for safely reopening access to the river have been met.
After further consultation with the agencies in the MASCG, the decision was then taken to reopen access to the river at 3pm.
Traditionally, fair attendees take their horses into the River Eden on The Sands and at Jubilee Ford in the town for washing.
Chair of the MASCG and senior manager for communities at Westmorland and Furness Council, Claire Notman, said: “An inspection by the RSPCA this afternoon indicated that conditions have improved sufficiently for us to approve the reopening of access to the River Eden at Appleby.
“However, all members of the MASCG are keen to emphasise that people taking animals into the river carries an inherent risk to safety and that anyone choosing to go into the river does so at their own risk.
“People should also be mindful of the potential for unseen debris below the surface of the water and are advised to take extra care.
“Finally, we would like to thank everyone for their patience and for respecting the advice to stay out of the river.”
With more rain forecast over the weekend, the group said it would continue to monitor water levels and retains the option to enforce a further closure of access to the river, in order to ensure the safety of people and their animals, if necessary.
Access to the River Eden in Appleby remains closed following an inspection earlier today.
Access was suspended yesterday, Thursday June 4, as water levels were too high.
The Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group for Appleby Horse Fair took to shut off ramp access to the river on The Sands and at Jubilee Ford in the town, on public safety grounds.
