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Coach waits in wings after landau protest
LICENSING chiefs have refused to make a decision on whether a third controversial Cinderella carriage can be introduced on Blackpool Prom.
There are two of the fairytale-style, horse-drawn carriages on the seafront and owner Julie Cooper had applied to transfer a licence from a traditional landau to a third.
But a three-month consultation into whether the carriages are suitable will not be completed until May 13 and members of Blackpool Council's public protection committee said their "hands were tied" until then .
Licensing chiefs announced the consultation would be carried out in October last year but it did not start until February 11.
Miss Cooper said she was "disappointed" at the delay.
She added: "I thought October was the start of the consultation, when the decision was made to have one.
"We have not been given all the appropriate information. We have a carriage here ready to work and now we have to wait until May."
The consultation was launched into the Cinderella carriage's suitability following complaints by the Blackpool Landau Association, which wants to retain the traditional 44-strong fleet.
It claimed people may be tempted to jump the queue at ranks if they specifically wanted to ride in the fantasy-style carriages, even when traditional landaus are first in line for the next pick-up.
Inspections have found the new carriages to be safe and mechanically sound.
But there were concerns around their appearance and the way they affect competition between operators.
Members wanted the chance to ride in both types of carriage and to meet the operators.
Coun Roy Haskett, vice chairman of the sub-committee, said: "Our hands are tied really.
"It's not as if we can look at this objectively due to the previous ruling that we need this consultation for the benefit of the trade overall.
"The earlier decision must be carried through, otherwise we are disregarding the democratic process."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North west
