Council seeks early notice of royal wedding celebrations

North Yorkshire County Council urged anyone who is planning a street party to mark the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 to get in touch as soon as possible.

If applications are received by March 14 it can make one legal order to cover a number of roads. The deadline gives sufficient time to check individual locations are suitable and to take the legal steps needed for a road closure.

In order to hold a street party for free, residents must choose a private street, or a cul-de-sac, where there is no access to other roads and where neighbours and residents can gather easily and safely together. Also, in order to avoid an alcohol or entertainment licence organisers are advised not to sell alcohol or publicise and charge for music.

County councillor Gareth Dadd, North Yorkshire’s executive member for highways, said: “Highway safety has to be a high priority and we are encouraging people to hold their parties away from through roads, but in this way organisation becomes much simpler and considerably cheaper.”

A larger event or a street party on a through road will be a more costly event and need more detailed planning. Information about setting up a street party, including application forms, is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/streetparty.

Other councils are also offering advice – Scarborough Council has held special training days to ensure people can have a knees- up without being tripped up by health and safety.