Dismay as police force Remembrance parade volunteers to fork out over a grand for safety escort

Conservative councillor Tony Austin has criticised a Ribble Valley Council safety group’s decision, which he says was influenced by the police, to refuse an application for volunteer safety measures at this year’s Billington remembrance event.

Coun Austin who is involved in the event alongside fellow Conservative Steve Farmer, suspects the car crash incident at Liverpool FC celebrations in May could be one influence.

In addition, he is unhappy that big demonstrations, such as around Gaza, go ahead while small remembrance events face, he believes, needlessly-high safety standards.

He said: “Last year, volunteers revived the Billington remembrance parade, linked to a service and wreath-laying at the war memorial, by including a short march of only 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 guidance of these professionals, the event passed-off very safely and without excessive expenditure.

“Exactly the same volunteers have been arranged for this year, and a similar application 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.”

Coun Austin added: “We understand the police are nervous, because of the car incident in Liverpool. But Billington’s crowd is comparatively minute and no amount of expensive traffic management or police presence would stop a determined suicidal terrorist from killing marchers, as was proved last year in an incident in Germany.

“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, including at Burscough, over high costs.

“It sticks in everyone’s throat that others can conduct large demonstrations in big cities about Gaza, without hindrance, despite official displeasure. Remember last year’s demonstration in London during the Remembrance Parade in Whitehall? This is extreme ‘wokery’.

“And populations of small villages, who cannot easily afford the fees of fat-cat traffic management companies, could consider themselves the victims of prejudice by the police.”

Lancashire Police was contacted for comment by Local Democracy Reporter Robbie Macdonald.

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.”