Cinderella carriages on Prom given go ahead
27 September 2010
Owners of the princess-themed Cinderella carriages have had their dreams come true as they were granted free reign of the Promenade.
Julie Brown, Lisa Bowen-Price, Mark Morris
and Janette Cheesman of Cinderella Carriages
It came after a three month consultation – during which owners of traditional horse-drawn landaus campaigned to have the novelty carriages banned from Blackpool.
They claimed they were unsafe and damaged their own trade, Blackpool Council decided they would stay.
But owners who wish to add to the current three carriages will have to report to Blackpool Council before taking to the road – and will have to make alterations including better indicators.
Julie Brown, who brought the first Cinderella carriages to Blackpool, said: "I'm overwhelmed.
"It means we can stop worrying now. Children on the Promenade love them, it makes their day to ride on them.
"We have to change the indicators and make them higher, so they are more visible, but that's fine.
"We are so, so pleased the council saw sense."
During the Town Hall Public Protection meeting the committee heard cases from traditional Landau owners, who showed a video where indicators were not visible as the cinderella carriages pulled out, and reported there had been an accident where a woman in Scotland had fallen out the door.
A letter by Alison Metcalfe, of the Blackpool Landau Owners Association, said: "We would respectfully request the Cinderella carriages no longer be allowed to ply for hire.
"The introduction of these carriages has caused considerable damage to the industry both financially and in terms of morale.
"As it has been proved by the recent accident they appear to have put the public at risk also."
But Roger Allanson, representing Mrs Brown, hit back. He said: "The vehicles were tested by council-appointed engineers who deemed them safe. There has been one accident causing injury, and accidents do happen."
Coun Henry Mitchell, chairman of the committee, said: "All we are interested in is the safety of the public – it is not our job to prevent competition.
"Each new Cinderella carriage application will be decided on its merits."
Source; http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/black ... 6552176.jp
