Appleby Fair 2012 Map

From Cumbria Constabulary

Appleby Horse Fair, which runs this year from 7-13 June, can attract up to 40,000 visitors and Gypsies and Travellers who travel from all across Europe to celebrate the ancient traditional holiday. Horse drawn trailers and caravans will use the main roads into Appleby, including the busy A66 plus other roads across the north of England, and the police are warning all motorists to be extra vigilant this year in order to prevent any accidents.

Chief Inspector Kevin Greenhow, who heads the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are making the message clear this year, be careful of what is round the corner. Horse drawn vehicles do move slowly and you can go round a bend and be faced with slow moving traffic. “We advise all drivers, no matter what type of vehicle they are driving to be extremely cautious around this time. Large numbers of horse drawn vehicles will be on the county’s A and B roads and more consideration will be needed when overtaking. Think, could there is a horse drawn vehicle in front? If everyone reduces their speed, allows a little more time for journeys and is considerate, we should dramatically reduce the likelihood of an accident.

“I would also like to appeal the divers of these caravans and trailers to carefully consider your safest route possible, whilst making yourself as visible to other motorists as practicable. The A66 is a particularly important route for haulage vehicles and we are doing all that we reasonably can to make sure these messages are communicated effectively to that industry, so that these very professional drivers are aware of the dangers and can take extra care”.