Fury as council cancels Remembrance Sunday parade over 'health and safety fears'

People have voiced their anger after a Remembrance Sunday parade was cancelled amid claims of health and safety issues. A wreath-laying will take place instead of the parade in Upton on the Wirral, Merseyside, according to reports.

One local said the cancellation was "heartbreaking and disgusting". The secretary of the local Royal British Legion (RBL) branch said the decision was "out of our hands". Reports say the branch said they had appealed to the local council for assistance on paying public liability insurance, and asked the police to assist with road closures.

According to The Telegraph, the branch claimed an official from Wirral Council in a letter cited the Liverpool FC title parade crash in May as a reason to be cautious, writing "we need to keep everyone safe".

The newspaper reported that Merseyside Police told them the police were not responsible for the escort of parades or traffic management.

A spokesperson for the Labour-run council said: "In this instance we were working with the local group in Upton and needed them [to] provide details of the road closures they required and confirm they had in place risk assessment and public liability insurance.

"Due to the special circumstances, the Council had waived the costs normally charged for this type of closure. Unlike the police, the council is legally required to give a certain minimum period of notice for road closures, and unfortunately the road closure cannot take place, if the legally required notice is not given.

"Wirral Council remains committed to supporting community-led events and regrets that the Upton parade could not proceed this year."

The spokesperson added: "We are confident that, had the necessary information been provided, we would have been able to assist in facilitating a safe and respectful event."

The RBL is encouraging locals in Upton to attend other nearby services and says it hopes the parade will happen next year.

A spokesperson told The Telegraph the RBL is "grateful for all the support" received from local authorities and police forces to enable Remembrance parades to go ahead.

Remembrance Sunday is being marked on November 9.

The national commemorations will be held at the Cenotaph in central London.