NEW traffic measures to improve road safety and minimise disruption before, during and after the Appleby Horse Fair have been given the green light.

Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Eden today approved restrictions that will see the current traffic regulation order in place around the fair expanded to cover a greater number of locations.

Requests for additional restrictions have come from residents, landowners, parish councils and the police to deal with parking on grass verges or in lay-bys in areas surrounding Appleby and to introduce temporary one-way systems in the town to improve traffic flows during the fair.

MORE TOP STORIES: The order will come into effect between April 30 and June 30 annually in the build-up to, during and immediately after the fair. The additional one-way traffic restrictions will apply between May 1 and June 30.

Prohibition of waiting is being introduced on the following roads: B6294 Blagill Road; U3259 Sandford Village Road; U3260 Sandford Village Road; C3009 Ousby Road; C3004 Ousby to Melmerby Road; B6260 Appleby to Orton Road; C3069 Helm Road; C3004 Milburn to Long Marton Road; U3319 (Old A66, Brough); C3084 Hardhills Road; U3423 Adamthwaite Road; U3425 Halfpenny House Road; U3211 Brampton Village Road; C3065 Dufton Road; Road to Keld Farm, Brampton; C3068/U3262 Great Asby Village Road; C3068 Great Asby Village Road; Road to Whitestones, Great Asby Village Road; Dale Beck Road, Great Asby Village Road.

Prohibition of motor vehicles, except for access, will be in force on the full length of the U3327 (Belah Chipping Dump) from its junction with the A685.

One-way traffic restrictions will be introduced on the following roads: U3346 Garth Heads Road, between its junctions with Bongate and Station Road (which will apply either north-westerly or south-easterly as directed by the traffic signs displayed at the time); U3347 Clifford Street, between its junctions with Garth Heads Road and its junction with the U3355 Station Approach at “The Midland Hotel” (north- easterly); U3348 Bellevue Road, between its junctions with Garth Heads Road and Clifford Street (north-easterly then north-westerly); and U3349 Pembroke Street, between its junctions with Garth Heads Road and its junction with the U3355 Station Approach (north-easterly then north-westerly). Coun Martin Stephenson, chairman of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Eden, said: “It’s important to balance the needs of travellers and other visitors to Appleby Horse Fair with those of the local community to ensure people attending the fair can enjoy themselves without causing disruption and problems for residents and businesses.

“These additional restrictions have been suggested by local people, parish councils and the police and we’ve acted on those requests to address their concerns.”