THREE new official temporary stop over points have been allocated for travellers taking part in the annual migration to Appleby Horse Fair.
Facilities are to be provided at Heritage Park, near Bishop Auckland FC, on the Bishop Auckland bypass, Westerton and Byers Green. In addition, Durham County Council is carrying out work in an effort to dissuade travellers from simply pulling up on roadside verges in the area.
Cllr Lynn Rielly and Cllr Colin Mairs, from West Auckland Parish Council, and Cllr Paul Ryman, chairman of neighbouring Etherley Parish Council, attended a meeting with county officials and were updated on the so-called “target hardening” measures being put in place.
The parish councils are part of a travellers’ forum, which operates along similar lines to the group which works towards ensuring a smooth passage through Teesdale.
At this month’s West Auckland Parish Council meeting, Cllr Rielly told colleagues the county council had completed most of the work on the bypass, but there were some issues at the Hummerbeck end.
“Hopefully they will get this work completed within a week or so and there will be no need for anyone to stop anywhere on the bypass.”
Cllr Ann Palfreyman said she had spoken to one traveller during the week who had been asking if he could get onto the green. She said: “I told him he wouldn’t be allowed.”
Cllr Ed Farrer said: “I keep raising this point about the stop over places. It’s fine when the stop over places are open.
“Our problems are not solely related to travellers going to Appleby – how do we stand if someone just tries to get on at other times?”
Cllr Rielly agreed there were year-round problems.
“We could have a meeting about it. There is nothing saying we couldn’t open the Heritage Park site at other times.”
At Etherley Parish Council’s April meeting, Cllr Ryman updated members and also highlighted the issues at Hummerbeck.
He said once the county council had returned to carry out the necessary work, he was confident the measures put in place would be effective.
