REMEMBERANCE DAY SAFETY MEASURES TO COST BRITISH LEGION DEAR

10.56.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Oct 2007

West Midlands Police 'Safety First' policy, published in 2001, will this year cost British Legion branches throughout Solihull dear if they still want to proceed with Remembrance Day marches.

While the police and the local authority are still donating their services for Remembrance Day parades, the safety first report means that they will have to fork out hundreds of pounds out of poppy money for street barriers to help close off roads for the marches.

The 'Safety First' report has ruled out the traditional rolling road closures as unsafe for this year's events. This means that formal road closure notices have to be applied for and barriers erected to close off roads for the duration of the parades.

Criticising the measure, Lorely Burt MP said:

"Police numbers will be severely stretched because the force must provide extra officers for a local football derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City taking place at the same time.

"It seems very unfortunate that British Legions have been left to foot the bill for extra safety barriers. The police have always given their services free on Remembrance Day and are keen to continue to do this. Solihull Council are footing the bill for the road closures for this year at least.

"Both the police and council are helping the eleven British Legion branches in Solihull to manage their extra responsibilities for remembrance day marches.

"However, neither have enough road barriers to lend for the day. This means that local branches will have to hire the help that they need. Shirley British Legion have estimated that they will face an additional bill of up to £1500 to mount this year's march, and Olton have estimated a cost of £400 to £600 for theirs.

Mrs Burt is appealing to several local businesses to help cover the costs.