The Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has again raised concerns over public safety at the annual cheese rolling event on Cooper’s Hill. A particular concern raised by members of the SAG is how emergency services would be able to respond if there was a major incident with multiple casualties.
The event, which is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May, attracts thousands of people to the site near Brockworth and is a historical event engrained in the county’s identity and heritage.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Murray Stewart, said “The cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill is a unique tradition in our county and we have no desire to stop it.
“However, as the event does not have an official organiser, the relevant documentation and plans detailing how members of the public will be kept safe, has not been submitted.
“The Safety Advisory Group has been left with no alternative other than to declare the event unsafe and has a duty to share this with the public.
“We are advising those planning to attend or participate in the cheese rolling to consider the risks they might be putting themselves in.”
The SAG consists of agencies, including the emergency services, who work together to promote high levels of safety and welfare at events by giving advice and guidance.
Members have asked for additional information to help them understand the plans for the event and how issues around traffic and parking on the day will be dealt with. Such things are standard items for any public events. However, as the event does not have an official organiser, the relevant documentation and plans detailing how they will keep members of the public safe, has not been submitted.
At previous cheese rolling events, several people have suffered medical episodes and injuries which required emergency treatment by paramedics. Double-crewed ambulances and rapid response vehicles struggled to gain access to the site for a prolonged period of time.
This puts a strain on the resources of both Gloucestershire Constabulary and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, impacting emergency service provision.
