Residents-only parking proposed for horse fair

8 hours ago

Zach HarrisonLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — The event attracts thousands of people to Appleby every year

PA Media An aerial image of the river in Appleby with several people bathing with their horses in the water. Spectators are on the grassy bank next to the river and others stand on a bridge looking on. In the distance, cars are parked on the road outside houses. — The event attracts thousands of people to Appleby every year

Residents-only parking will be considered to ease congestion during a popular annual traveller gathering.

Appleby Horse Fair brings thousands of people from the travelling community to the small Cumbrian town, which only has about 3,000 residents.

Liberal Democrat-led Westmorland and Furness Council is due to discuss proposals to ease traffic issues during the event, which is set to take place the first week of June.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting on Wednesday said restrictions introduced in previous years had reduced the number of parking space for residents, meaning cars were being parked on "unrestricted streets".

Described as a gathering and reunion of Gypsy families, the fair is well-known for the washing of the horses in the River Eden as well as its array of colourful traditional gypsy bowtop caravans making their way there.

The council report said: "Many [residential] streets become heavily congested, and enforcement officers are often unable to take action where no restrictions exist.

"In the nearby village of Burrells, early arrivals have historically caused inconsiderate parking, obstructing the carriageway and preventing residents from parking near their homes."

PA Media Fair-goers arrive in Cumbria, ahead of the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers. There are three people and two horses in bright yellow and red reins. The picture is from the Fair in 2023. — The traditional Gypsy fair centres around showing and trading horses

The streets affected by the proposals would be Clifford Street, Bellevue Road, Pembroke Street, Chapel Street, Doomgate and Colby Lane in Appleby, and outside a row of terraced houses on the C3069 road in Burrells.

A "no waiting at any time restriction" could also be brought in in the village of Murton after the parish council raised concerns about inappropriate parking on the village green, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Other measures include a 40mph speed limit on Powis Lane due to congestion, a temporary closure to vehicles outside the Midland pub as a holding area for horses and making the Appleby Library car park designated horse and cart parking.

A speed limit of 30mph is also proposed to be extended to the outskirts of town as it becomes "heavily pedestrianised" during the fair period.

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