The fate of a centuries-old Gypsy and Traveller horse fair is in jeopardy as campaigners wait for a government decision on the National Highways proposal for the expansion of the A66.
Campaigners say that National Highway’s failure to properly consider the cultural significance of Brough Hill Fair and its failure to offer a viable alternative site could leave the proposal vulnerable to a legal challenge.
The Fair dates back to the 1300s and is of great cultural significance to the Gypsy and Traveller community, and the wider area at its current Brough Hill site.
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The fair has previously occupied different sites in and around Brough.
The National Highways proposal to dual carriageway the existing route of the A66, which links the A1 at Scotch Corner with the M6 at Penrith, requires the current site of the historic Brough Hill Fair.
The panel of government experts who examined National Highway’s A66 extension £1.5bn proposal to upgrade the A66, sent their report to Transport Secretary, Mark Harper on August 7, and he now has three months to decide on their recommendations.
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This means this year’s Brough Hill Fair at the end of September may be the last one ever held, if the decision goes against the campaign to save the Fair.
The Brough Hill Fair Community Association is hopeful that a solution can be found on the back of the panel’s instruction to National Highways.
The outcome of the Fair ultimately lies with the Secretary of State.
Billy Welch, on behalf of the Brough Hill Fair Community Association and Gypsy community, accepts that the Fair may need to move, but believes National Highways’ proposals to relocate it onto a narrow site squeezed between the new dual carriageway and an industrial scale farm and cement works are "unsafe, unacceptable, and discriminatory".
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Billy Welch, spokesperson for Appleby Fair and the Brough Hill Fair Community Association, said: “Brough Hill Fair is ancient and is sacred to Gypsy people. It has been part of our culture for generations. We would prefer if we did not have to move, but we accept the road is needed, and are willing to relocate to a good site.
"But what we have been offered is not fit for pigs, although, according to National Highways, it is fine for Gypsies.
"We will not use it and it will lead to the death of the Fair and another blow to the Gypsy way of life.”
Gypsy and Traveller Representatives have been advised that the questions they have raised are sufficient grounds to make National Highways’ proposals morally and legally unacceptable.
If the Transport Secretary approves the proposals in spite of these unanswered questions, they intend to seek Judicial Review.
A Crowd Justice fundraiser will be launched on Sunday, October 1 to support this work.
In response to the concerns, Lee Hillyard, National Highways’ A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project director, said: “National Highways has always acknowledged the historic and cultural importance of the Brough Hill Fair to the Gypsy Community and we have been determined to find a suitable alternative to the current site that would be lost as part of our proposals.
“Our team prioritised finding a suitable replacement site for the Brough Hill Fair and we have put forward proposals for a site that would retain part of the current site and allow for the continuation of traditions and activities and retain the historic connection.
“It is our intention to develop a scheme and consult with the Gypsy Community for the proposed site. This is likely to include plans to re-profile the land and its boundaries by fencing and other means.
“Our team is committed to ensure the continuity of the Brough Hill Fair and we will continue to engage with the Gypsy Community to make sure the proposals are adequate. We will continually assess potential impacts – positive and negative - should development consent be granted.”
So, what are the changes proposed by Highways?
On the section between Appleby and Brough, the Langrigg westbound junction is set to be removed and a realignment is being proposed for the de-trunked A66 to be closer to the new dual carriageway at Warcop.
There is also set to be a noise barrier constructed south of Brough plus a revised land plan for Cafe Sixty Six.
From Temple Sowerby to Appleby, the proposal is to remove both the Priest Lane underpass and Roger Head Farm overbridge, while on the section from Temple Sowery to Penrith the junction for the sewage treatment works and private residence from the A66 is set to be removed, with provision instead for an alternative access from the B6262.
In addition, a reorientation of the Kemplay Bank junction is proposed along with the realignment of the walking and cycling route at Skirsgill.
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