Resident fears a Covid explosion from park funfair
CALL FOR ANSWERS OVER HOW RESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY
A HUDDERSFIELD resident has told how she fears there will be a risk of an explosion in Covid cases if a four-day funfair at Ravensknowle Park is allowed to go ahead today (Friday).
Pauline Brook who lives close to the park on Wakefield Road, Dalton, spoke out after we revealed Kirklees topped England’s Covid charts ranking the council number one out of 149 uppertier local authorities.
The family funfair is expected to attract thousands of people over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Pauline, 64, said: “As a resident I have been in contact with Shabir Pandor, the leader of Kirklees Council and various officials since Monday when posters suddenly appeared on telecom boxes and telegraph poles advertising the funfair.
“I immediately requested answers to concerns about allowing the funfair to operate in this climate 10 hours per day over four days of the Bank Holiday.
“I am still awaiting a comprehensive reply to a number of points raised but from initial contact, it was apparent the council was adamant it would go ahead.
“I have now read Barry Sheerman’s
The funfair in Ravensknowle Park, Huddersfield ready to go, much to the concern of Pauline Brook (left), who lives close to the park on Wakefield Road, Dalton call for an emergency meeting. The risk assessment and layout plan obtained are woefully inadequate.
“I am concerned about how crowds would be managed when the Rule of Six still applies or two households while maintaining social distancing.
“The large rides will attract the young people not vaccinated who will be at risk of taking the virus back into schools or households.
“Why would any council take such a risk with the public’s health when it’s not necessary and the Strategic Director of Public Health, Rachel Henshall-Spencer, is on record as being concerned about the Covid levels in Kirklees?”
The organisers of the funfair insist the event will be Covid-secure and all who attend will have to wear facemasks.
Colin Parr, Strategic Director for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Kirklees Council have been working with the Showman’s Guild and other fairground operators to support the safe reintroduction of funfairs as part of the national recovery roadmap in line with government guidance.
“As a council, we are here to support fairgrounds to reopen, in the same way as other businesses in Kirklees. However, our priority remains the safety of our residents.”