THE traditional procession of floats and walking entries parading through town as part of Abergavenny Carnival could be a thing of the past, organisers fear.

Chris Evans, chairman of the organising Carnival Committee said that the administration costs of having roads closed are now so astronomical, despite the fact that the event is being staged during the Festival of Cycling, that it is feared that the procession would not take place.

The procession was last held in July 2011 and dropped from last year's carnival so that local groups and organisations could concentrate on taking part in the town's Diamond Jubilee procession instead.

Mr Evans said, "The carnival itself will be held in Bailey Park and unless we get some unexpected funding, the health and safety costs of staging the procession are now at a level that is out of reach for the organisers.

"We have already budgeted for some £2,500 to have the roads closed for the procession and the necessary insurance and now we have been told we are required to have four motorway-sized advanced warning signs.

"These signs are to indicate that the road will be closed for half an hour which along with a host of other changes in red tape, when added up makes for a sum we cannot afford.

"We have been quoted an additional £1,400 plus VAT for these bilingual signs alone and we feel we are unable to spend money we don't have.

"There will already be signs along the trunk road informing motorists that the road will be closed at certain times for the Festival of Cycling, which is happening at the same time.

"This is bureaucracy gone mad and ultimately it will end all carnival parades.

"The carnival has been part of Abergavenny's annual calendar of events since the 1920s that I know of and probably longer and it's a shame that draconian health and safety regulations have now got in the way.

"I can't see why the carnival cannot be included as part of the signage for the Festival of Cycling's planned street closures, but it seems this option is not open to us.

"We've looked at a variety of ways to have a processional route that doesn't include using the A40 trunk road, but this is impossible if the carnival is to remain on Bailey Park."

Forest Traffic Management said that these were the legal requirements as set out by the Welsh Government and SWTRA, the body responsible for managing the trunk roads in South Wales, following a consultation with the relevant agencies.

Mr Evans stressed that the Carnival itself would go ahead in Bailey Park on July 13 and said the committee could only apologise to the schools and individuals that have begun to make their costumes and secure their floats.

• If you feel you can help the committee to stage the procession contact Chris Evans on 07535 939516.