Travellers' horse drive at Hull court - Yorkshire

From the Hull Daily Mail

HULL city council wants people to attend a court hearing tomorrow to voice their objections to a Travellers' horse drive.

Despite assurances from the organiser that the Hull Horse Drive would not be taking place due to concerns for public safety, Hull City Council says it has received intelligence that a small group were still planning to go ahead with the controversial event.

Humberside Police and Hull City Council expressed concerns about the horse drive after it attracted more than 300 people last year.

The drive was due to take place on Sunday along a route through north Hull and ending up at the Endyke pub in Endyke Lane.

Fears have been raised over the safety of those participating and spectating, along with the potential disruption to the community.

The decision was made by the organiser to cancel the horse drive after a meeting with police and council officials. He agreed to work with them in planning next year's event.

But a court order is being sought after reports the event could still go ahead.

The injunction was granted on April 26 and a further hearing will take place tomorrow at 10.30am at Hull County Court.

People who are affected by this order can attend court and make their concerns heard.

Jane Price, of Hull City Council, said: "As public safety is paramount to the council, along with avoiding disruption throughout the city, an injunction was applied for which forbids the Hull Horse Drive, or similarly described event, taking place between May 4 and 10, from obstructing any highway.

"If the court judges that the order should continue and people choose to go ahead with the Hull Horse Drive, or similar event, they may breach the order and be in contempt of court.

"Ultimately, this is punishable by a fine or imprisonment."

Hull City Council, with the support of Humberside Police, applied to Hull County Court for an injunction against a horse drive taking place in the city.

Copies of this order will be available for people to inspect at Guildhall reception, the Wilson Centre in Alfred Gelder Street and the Orchard Centre in Orchard Park Road, north Hull.

A copy of the order will also be affixed to lampposts in the areas of north Hull where the Hull Horse Drive was believed to be taking place.

Mrs Price previously told the Mail: "We received a number of safety concerns from residents and businesses regarding this year's Horse Drive event.

"The safety of the community is a main priority for us and, by working with Humberside Police and the organiser, we can offer support and advice to make sure it is done in a planned way to minimise disruption for next year's revised event."

Following a horse drive last September, police were forced to suddenly close several streets in west Hull after Travellers descended on Hawthorn Avenue to race dozens of horses and carts.

At the time, some residents living in the area said police had advised them to stay in their homes for their own safety.

Similar scenes were also witnessed in Endike Lane, north Hull, earlier last year when one trailer broke loose and narrowly missed three young children and an elderly woman standing on a pavement.