ADDITIONAL activities that were believed could safely take place on Leicester’s Belgrave Road to celebrate Diwali Day have been rejected by the safety advisory group ((SAG) responsible for making recommendations on public events in the city.
The city council will be closing Belgrave Road on 20 October to enable people to safely visit restaurants, shops and celebrate with families on the Golden Mile. Diwali lights will illuminate the road, and the Wheel of Light will also return.
However, concerns raised by the SAG – after the event attracted around 50,000 people last year – led it to conclude that the traditional stage show, Diwali village and fireworks will not go ahead.
The council gave a commitment to work with local people and the SAG to see whether some additional activities could take place that would not compromise public safety.
Proposals for these were put forward to the SAG - which includes representatives from Leicestershire Police and other emergency services – but all have been ruled out.
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I completely understand and share the great desire to make Leicester’s Diwali celebrations as good as can be. I thought that some of the suggestions put forward by the local community were achievable, but the safety advisory group has rejected them all.
“I’m disappointed that as a result there won’t be any additional activities, and I hope this is something the SAG will review next year.”