Volunteers behind a Ribble Valley remembrance parade are dismayed at authorities insisting on an expensive safety escort despite no similar need last year, a councillor has claimed.
Conservative Councillor Tony Austin has criticised a Ribble Valley Council safety group’s decision to refuse an application for volunteer safety measures at this year’s Billington remembrance event.
Cllr Austin has said the need for a traffic management plan is unnecessary and costly; however, Ribble Valley Council said safety is its top priority and similar events in the borough have made the required safety arrangements without fuss.
Billington and Langho Cllr Austin said: “Last year, volunteers revived the Billington remembrance parade, linked to a service and wreath-laying at the war memorial, by including a march of 400 yards from Billington Gardens to the memorial and back, complete with a pipe band.
"It was much appreciated by many villagers, who still feel they should commemorate the sacrifice of fallen heroes in the world wars.
“Volunteer traffic marshals were organised by David Ball, who owns a company specialising in escorting abnormal loads, including nuclear waste, to Sellafield.
“The 15 volunteers were also supervised by Mark Seed, who has driven heavy lorries for many years for a cement company.
"Under the guidance of these professionals, the event passed off very safely and without excessive expenditure.
“The same volunteers have been arranged for this year, and a similar application was made to Ribble Valley Council’s safety advisory group.
"However, the police representative on the group, which only has officers and no councillors, persuaded other members to refuse the application on the grounds of David Ball’s ‘lack of qualifications’.
“The villagers have always been prepared to raise funds for a pipe band, a rolling road closure order and event insurance.
"But they strongly object to finding more than another £1,000 to fund a private traffic management company, doing what volunteers did for free very safely last year.”
Cllr Austin thinks the incident involving a car and pedestrians at Liverpool FC's trophy parade in May has "made police nervous" and influenced the decision.
He added: “Billington and Langho should be allowed to properly celebrate the memory of local people who gave their lives to keep this country free, without paying through the nose for services that are not needed.
"I believe more than two other remembrance parades have been cancelled over high costs.”
Lancashire Police has been contacted for comment.
A Ribble Valley Council spokesperson said: “Our top priority is to ensure the safety of everyone taking part in this event.
"The council’s safety advisory group can only advise on public safety issues. It works closely with partners such as the police, fire and ambulance services, and Lancashire County Council to make recommendations, where appropriate, to event organisers.
“Tighter rules have been introduced nationally to improve the safety of those attending public events, especially on the highway network.
“The safety group has advised organisers of the Billington remembrance parade that they need to have a traffic management plan in place for a temporary road closure, to protect those attending the event.
"Organisers of other similar remembrance events in the borough have put such traffic management arrangements in place.”
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