RESIDENTS and businesses lining the route to Appleby Horse Fair experienced intimidation at the hands of travellers, it has been claimed this week.

Those in villages near Kirkby Stephen and Brough say the main factor was the travellers with their caravans and horses being parked along the roadside.

In correspondence to the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), which helps manage the running of the annual fair, Crosby Garret resident Stuart Saunders told of a number of people’s concerns.

He tells of travellers ‘deliberately blocking the carriageway’, using ‘abusive language’ to other road users, and ‘cars being kicked and threats of violence’ being made.

“A general view from our community is that the lead up to the event and putting posts out on the roadside is inadequate and there should be no tolerance of camping on any roadside in the surrounding areas outside Appleby. It is causing danger to the residents,” he wrote.

It was suggested to the MASCG that travellers be directed straight to Appleby for the fair, rather than setting up camp in and around outlying towns and villages.

Matthew Neal, chair of the Appleby MASCG, said that solution would be ‘impractical’.

“Whilst it can appear attractive to suggest zero tolerance of camping on any roadsides outside Appleby, there are practical realities involved and the amount of resources required to implement such a policy would be extremely high and is likely counterproductive,” he said.

“The Appleby Fair MASCG has an Encampment Strategy and concentrates on dealing with any unauthorised encampment which cause the most concern having regard to the overriding objectives ensuring public safety.”

Earlier this month, it was claimed at a meeting in Kirkby Stephen that the 2018 fair, which ran from June 7-10, had been the ‘worst’ in memory for residents.

“People who have lived in Kirkby Stephen all their lives have said this was by far the worst year,” said Cumbria County Council member Phil Dew.