Beverley Westwood fireworks: Soldiers step in to ensure Bonfire Night safety
SOLDIERS have stepped in to help after police said they had no officers available for duty at East Yorkshire's biggest bonfire.
The Beverley Lions firework display on the Westwood is expected to attract more than 10,000 people.
It is costing the charity about £5,000 to put on, including hundreds of pounds for a security firm to monitor road closures.
Now the Defence School of Transport (DST) Leconfield has pledged to provide 20 volunteers to deal with crowd control and make sure people stay safe.
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Commandant Colonel Paul Ash said: "I am delighted that staff and students at DST have volunteered to assist at this year's bonfire on Beverley Westwood.
"They're giving up their own time to help the community enjoy this popular event."
Lions spokesman Alan Porter said: "They are going to help us with some of the marshalling on the night.
"We have to abide by what the professional firework people say. It's not easy on the night to stop people from pulling the ropes up.
"We have to make sure we provide as much safety as possible."
Attendance at last year's Westwood bonfire was double what it had been on previous occasions.
The increase was because Hull City Council cancelled its firework display, citing budget cuts.
The city council has taken the same decision again, so large numbers are expected at the Beverley display on Monday, November 5.
Lions member Les Ford had meetings with police about security for this year's event. He was told the force could not afford to put men on duty but if there were issues, officers would attend.
A Humberside Police spokesman said: "The responsibility for the event falls to the event organiser, in particular, the traffic management."
The bonfire is due to start at 7.15pm and road closures will be in place throughout the evening.
East Riding Council is advising people attending the bonfire to park in the town centre, where parking is free after 6pm, and walk up to the Westwood from there.
A spokesman said: "Motorists are advised to avoid parking along Newbald Road. Anyone wishing to park their vehicles along the highways or verges around the Westwood does so entirely at their own risk."
Walkington Road/Westwood Road will be closed to east-bound traffic from the Keldgate Road junction to Albert Terrace, from 6pm to 7.30pm. At 7.30pm, Walkington Road and Westwood Road will be closed in both directions until 9.30pm.
Cartwright Lane/Keldgate Road will be closed to westbound traffic, from 6pm to 9.30pm, between Thurstan Road/Sloe Lane crossroads and the junction with Walkington Road.
Comments
by johnniebj
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:30PM
“Well done to all the volunteers!
The cynic in me wonders if police officers will be sitting in cars, waiting to pounce if something goes wrong......”
by killer127
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:24PM
“Can't afford a few officers to help out at a local event, but can afford to appoint a Commissioner on £75k a year plus expenses, this is nothing to do with Government cutbacks, just a way to make the gullible believe it is..”
by paulthe
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:03PM
“Volunteers? Volunteers? Just nearly wee'd myself”
by GCtheDJ
Thursday, October 25 2012, 4:47PM
“Always a great night. I'll be there with a pack of jumbo sparklers, going "weheeeeey" at every rocket going off. Wonderful!”
by Solly_Atwell
Thursday, October 25 2012, 1:32PM
“"A Humberside Police spokesman said: "The responsibility for the event falls to the event organiser, in particular, the traffic management."
Do they have the authority to direct traffic?
There are no powers that enable a member of public to direct traffic during planned events. To do so is extremely dangerous and the person doing the directing may be open to prosecution if an incident occurs.”
by Mysby
Thursday, October 25 2012, 12:07PM
“This is what a 20% budget cut gets you.”
by Scunthorpe26
Thursday, October 25 2012, 12:04PM
“And the effects of Cameron's Government are clear for everyone to see! We all knew it would happen!”
by AstynomiaKats
Thursday, October 25 2012, 11:56AM
“A Humberside Police spokesman said: "The responsibility for the event falls to the event organiser, in particular, the traffic management."
What is the point of the Police precept if they are not there for the benefit of the whole community?”
by killer127
Thursday, October 25 2012, 11:38AM
“Further to my comments above, the Police force could not afford to put men on duty, I wonder did the police offer to help out with "off duty volunteers", and if not why not?
After all if an incident happens the military have no powers or jurisdiction, and the police will still have to attend, an off duty police officer still has powers to take charge if required. It should not always be about the money.”
by PeeScooper
Thursday, October 25 2012, 10:56AM
“Nice one lads and lasses, how about the Lions split the proceeds with the RBL?”