Calderdale Council is committed to keeping Todmorden Carnival in Centre Vale Park, and is meeting with the organisers and the Environment Agency this Thursday (4 August) to discuss how to make this happen.
At a previous constructive meeting with the carnival organisers, the Council pledged its commitment to working together to enable this important event to go ahead in the future, whilst protecting the vital flood defences in the park.
These defences mean that restrictions are in place in relation to vehicles in the park, but the restrictions alone do not prevent the carnival from happening. Reasonable adjustments can be made to allow it to go ahead, and the Council has discussed this in detail with the event organisers, offering continued support and advice.
The Council is keen to look at the practicalities of the event’s layout at the meeting on Thursday, and the organisers have agreed to provide more detail on the ground protection materials that they intend to use.
Cllr Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said:
“We are very keen to keep Todmorden Carnival in the town and are doing everything we can to make this happen, as we know how much local people value the important event. Unfortunately there are restrictions in place, but these are vital to ensure the drainage system provides effective flood protection for the town, and we have to respect these for all events. We are confident that, with the carnival organisers and the Environment Agency, we can come up with a solution that’s best for everyone.”