PREPARATIONS are being made across County Durham to accommodate gypsies and travellers heading to this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.
The event runs from Thursday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 13, and temporary stop -over areas have opened up in the Teesdale area in preparation.
The nine designated areas are located along the traditional travelling routes to Appleby – Wackerfield layby, Winston corner, Broomielaw picnic area, Stainton, Shaw Bank and Guidepost Corner, Bowes. They will be open until Friday, June 22.
Durham County Council’s Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Service will ensure facilities are provided, including temporary toilet facilities, refuse collections and, in some cases, water supply for animals.
Such facilities are put in place to encourage use of the areas over unauthorised encampments.
Council officers and council neighbourhood wardens will be making regular visits to the TSOAs, as well as visiting any unauthorised encampments. The TSOAs are being provided as part of a co-ordinated response from the South West Durham Business, Residents and Travellers Forum and the Teesdale Residents’ and Travellers’ Forum, which include representatives from the town and parish councils, Durham Police Durham County Council, businesses and traveller representatives.
Mike Taylor, chairman of the Teesdale Residents and Travellers Forum, said: “The forum members have met several times since last year’s Appleby Fair to look at and address any issues that arose during the migration period.
“This we hope will go towards a seamless passage through Teesdale for the travellers going to and returning from the fair this year.”
Sgt Simon Rogers, from Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The police and our partners will be monitoring the migration through Teesdale and will be supporting our communities. Some residents accept the migration of travellers through Teesdale at this time of the year but others have concerns about the potential for trespass and there can be feelings of unease from the settled community.
“In reality this is a diverse community happening and not a police public safety event.
“Our joined-up approach means in recent years we have experienced a relatively small number of incidents directly related to the travellers.”
Temporary signposts will be in place to show the locations of the stop-off areas and to advise residents and road users.
Fair organisers are encouraging those who plan on attending the event with trailers and towed caravans not to arrive at the site too far in advance of it starting, especially if they travel via Alston Moor as the availability of temporary stopping places there is reduced this year.
They’re also encouraging fair-goers to plan their journey carefully and to consult www.applebyfair.org for information. Billy Welch, one of the organisers, said: “I would like to appeal to the gypsies and travellers not to arrive too soon at the designated camping area to give the council time to prepare for people heading towards the fair.
“I would also like to ask them to be careful where they choose to camp and to consider the dangers. Please avoid camping on any blind bends, on the brow of a hill or too close to main roads and on junctions. Be very wary of traffic especially where horses are concerned and please show consideration.”
