Traffic warning over apprentice boys’ day
POLICE have warned of potential traffic problems ahead of a loyalist march in Southport.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry will march through the town centre this Saturday ( June 11).
Southport’s neighbourhood police team warned drivers that the town centre will be busier than usual due to the event.
In a tweet they said that traffic disruption was expected from 11am to 12.30pm and 4-5.30pm.”
About 1,000 people normally take part in the event.
Colin Roberts, president of the Liverpool Campsie Club of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, said that this year’s laying of a wreath at Southport’s war memorial would have a particular significance.
He said: “This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. We have a lot of members coming from Scotland and Northern Ireland for this year’s march.
“We hope it is a good day for everyone, including Southport’s traders.”
Next month, the Orange Lodge will march through Southport. The event normally brings around 3,000 people to the town.
Billy Owens, provincial master of Liverpool, said that this year’s event would take place on Tuesday, July 12.
He said: “We will set off through the town from 11am. Once again we would like to thank Norman Wallis for inviting us back to Pleasureland.”
Both marches have divided opinion in Southport. Some traders and residents have complained of public drinking and bad behaviour.
But police praised organisers following last year’s Orange Lodge march, when there were just three arrests on a day which attracted 3,000 people.
There was a ban on street drinking in the town centre on the day, and British Transport Police refused to let people take alcohol on trains. Drunks were prevented from boarding trains too.
There was a report of a mass brawl on a train from Southport to Liverpool on the day of the Orange Lodge march, but march organisers said their members were unlikely to have been involved.
The parade commemorates the 1690 victory at the Battle of the Boyne by King William of Orange.