The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Winds force call-off of Ferry lights event
‘DISAPPOINTMENT’: Planned festive switch-on will not be rescheduled
A severe weather warning has forced organisers of the Christmas lights switch-on in Broughty Ferry to pull the plug on the event.
It was planned for this evening but, with a yellow weather warning for heavy rain, high winds and flooding in some places, fears for public safety have forced its cancellation.
The switch-on will not be rescheduled, say organisers Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association.
Traders’ chairman Steve James was gutted that the decision to cancel had to be taken.
He said: “Unfortunately the weather warning makes it impossible for us to safely hold the event. Wind speeds of up to 38mph are forecast.
“We have to dismantle the stage if wind speeds even get up to 25mph so tomorrow’s winds are way too high to be able to go ahead.
“This is so disappointing.
“Last year’s event was such a fantastic success we were excited to repeat what we did then. We had so many local people play a part, including local schoolchildren, so this is a major disappointment.”
Steve says unfortunately, due to the level of work required to set up and organise the event, it will be impossible to reschedule this year.
Broughty Ferry’s Christmas lights switch-on has been cancelled just a day before it was supposed to take place due to a yellow weather warning.
The event was supposed to take place at 6pm today, however, it has now been cancelled due to the rain and flood warning issued by the Met Office yesterday.
Organisers have said the heavy rain and high winds predicted for today make it too dangerous to hold the lights switch-on.
The event – organised by Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association – is an annual tradition in the area.
Each year, hundreds of people flock to Brook Street to enjoy carnival rides and watch stage performances before the lights are officially switched on.
Steve James, chairman of the traders’ association, is gutted about the cancellation.
He said: “Unfortunately the weather warning makes it impossible for us to safely hold the event.
“Wind speeds of up to 38mph have been forecast for today.
“We have to dismantle the stage if wind speeds even get up to 25mph, so it is way too high to be able to go ahead.
“Last year’s event was such a success we were excited to repeat it.
“We had so many local people set to play a part in the event, including local schoolchildren, so this is a major disappointment for many people.”
Mr James said unfortunately, due to the level of work required to set up and organise the event, it will be impossible to reschedule this year.
He added: “The lights will still go on but we just won’t be able to hold all our planned events on the evening.”
The Christmas lights event’s main sponsor is Broughty Ferry furniture store Gillies.
David Philp, the firm’s operations director, said: “We are disappointed to announce the Broughty Ferry lights switch-on has been cancelled.
“This is due to severe weather warnings.
“We need to put the public’s safety first.”
The yellow warning will be in place from 3pm today until 6pm tomorrow.
Most of Tayside and Fife is included in the warning, along with swathes of the east of Scotland.
Weather forecasters have warned of potential flooding in Tayside and Fife after issuing a yellow alert for rain.
The Met Office warning covers swathes of the east of Scotland, with only the coastlines of Angus and Fife unaffected.
Heavy rainfall is due to start in the region at 3pm today and last until 6pm tomorrow.
Forecasters say drivers should be aware of road water and spray risk, as well as a small chance of homes and businesses flooding.
Should flooding occur, train and bus cancellations are likely, and some rural or isolated communities may be temporarily cut off by flooded roads.