A Remembrance Day event is in doubt over road closure issues. The Penarth Remembrance Sunday group has issued a statement claiming the event - including a parade in the town - will now no longer take place.
In an open letter, the veterans group claimed the event, due to happen on Sunday, November 8, cannot go ahead after a road closures order could not be secured from the Vale of Glamorgan council, despite the application for the road closure order having been made in July.
Event cannot proceed safely
The committee said it meant the event will not be able to go ahead safely. They said instead they will gather “informally” to lay wreaths at 10am on November 8 at the cenotaph in Alexandra Park.
The statement reads: “Our veterans should not have to fight the system they served to protect. These are men and women who answered the call when their country needed them. They served in dangerous places.
“They endured hardship, separation, fear and loss. Some came home carrying wounds that cannot be seen. And now, years later, we expect them to battle bureaucracy just to hold a remembrance parade?”
Council response
But a spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan council said they hoped an agreement could be reached for the event to go ahead. “We recognise how deeply important Remembrance is to veterans, their families and communities across the Vale of Glamorgan,” they said.
“We are proud to support different communities across the Vale of Glamorgan to remember the sacrifice made by others. The Penarth remembrance parade has over the years been an important opportunity for people to come together to honour those who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“The council remains committed to supporting remembrance events across the Vale and working closely with local partners to find solutions that reflect their different needs. As is the case with similar events, including remembrance events, across the Vale, we work closely with organisers.
“We actively support event organisers who are responsible for making arrangements including traffic management measures required to ensure public safety. The council’s role is to provide advice on how to put in place Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders.
“Discussions with local partners in Penarth are ongoing and we remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached. Our priority is to work constructively with all parties to ensure the community can come together to mark Remembrance in a safe and respectful manner.”
Joint statement
A joint statement from Penarth town council, Vale of Glamorgan council and Penarth Veterans Remembrance Parade Committee reads: “Penarth town council and the Vale of Glamorgan council are working alongside the Penarth Veterans Remembrance Parade Committee to ensure the town’s annual Remembrance Day parade can take place as normal.
“Alternative traffic management arrangements were needed and work towards this is progressing well, with details close to being finalised. With these matters nearly concluded, we are hopeful firm arrangements regarding this important event can be announced very soon.”
