[from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 9th May 2014]<\/p>\n
A clampdown on lager louts is to continue this year to keep a popular real ale rail trail on the right track.<\/p>\n
Colne Valley landlords, councillors, police and Northern Rail staff will all do their bit to prevent the\u00a0drunken antics\u00a0which plagued villages such as Slaithwaite and Marsden last year.<\/p>\n
The Valleys police team will head the drive to keep wayward revellers and\u00a0unruly groups of hen and stag parties\u00a0in check.<\/p>\n
Tough action last summer included landlord-enforced drinking bans.<\/p>\n
\u2018Visible\u2019 teams of special constables, mounted police and road police will patrol train stations and main thoroughfares in the areas on Saturdays, although neighbourhood inspector Mark Trueman hopes that they will need less officers on duty than last year.<\/p>\n
However, pub landlords have agreed to \u2018wait and see\u2019 before they consider reintroducing bans on fancy dress, stag and hen dos and shots, spirit doubles and lager.<\/p>\n
The Real Ale Trail was set up five years ago\u00a0to allow ale fans to enjoy a quiet drink along the Stalybridge to Dewsbury Transpennine route following its appearance on the BBC\u2019s Oz and James Drink to Britain, but quickly became a hot spot for large groups looking for a day of binge drinking.<\/p>\n
Insp Trueman said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police presence made a positive impact last year and now we want to take it forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicing won\u2019t be at the same intensity as before but we want to make sure that people know we will not tolerate any\u00a0anti-social behaviour, are taking the issue very seriously and will maintain a visible presence, including a mounted section and road policing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anyone wants to contact us in connection with this we welcome them to do so by calling 01484 436898.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Speaking about the plans, Gary Brammall, general manager at the Riverhead Brewery Tap and a member of Real Ale Trail Licensees (RATL), which was set up by landlords and brewers along the route, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy that the police will have a presence again this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cRATL have not had to have a full meeting since we made the decision to stop serving shots or lager last year and will wait and see if we think it\u2019s necessary to have another one as the summer progresses because, although it\u2019s quiet now, the situation could change, particularly with the football season ending.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want people to think \u2018that\u2019s it\u2019 because it will start to pick up but it\u2019s a case of wait and see and we hope that everyone\u2019s efforts last year will mean that we\u00a0have less problems this time around.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Meanwhile, Colne Valley councillor Donna Bellamy said:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we get the police presence again then we shouldn\u2019t have any problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want it to return to how it was with lots of stag and hen dos but the Real Ale Trail, when it is that, is fantastic.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 9th May 2014] A clampdown on lager louts is to continue this year to keep a popular real ale rail trail on the right track. Colne Valley landlords, councillors, police and Northern Rail staff will … Continue reading