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Romford St George’s Day Scouts Parade at Risk as Met Pulls Road-Closure Support

After the Met withdrew road-closure support, Havering says only a certified traffic plan would allow a road procession.

Overview

  • Havering Council says it cannot endorse participants walking in the road without a traffic management plan and a Traffic Management Order, citing public safety requirements.
  • The Metropolitan Police have told the council and organisers they are no longer able to carry out temporary road closures or block roads due to resource and budget constraints.
  • The council cites its statutory duty under Section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and says the same rules apply to all organisers using the public highway.
  • Event organisers have been invited to meet Havering’s Safety Advisory Group to clarify the legal steps needed for the parade to proceed safely and lawfully.
  • Reports indicate the Scouts may need to hire a private traffic management firm at an estimated cost of about £9,000, as local MP Andrew Rosindell publicly criticises the situation.