Roads to be closed as carnival season gets under way

Bridgwater carnival takes place on 2 November

Europe's largest illuminated procession is starting tomorrow, with road closures across the town.

Bridgwater carnival is the oldest UK carnival, and will take place this weekend on 2 November.

It is set to draw in thousands of spectators - which means there will be some road closures.

Chris Hocking, projects officer at Bridgwater carnival, said: "It's really amazing that such a small market town can host such a magnificent carnival and it puts the town and the county on the map."

The west country carnival circuit is an annual celebration usually around bonfire night, dating back to the gunpowder plot of 1605.

The Bridgwater procession will start at 18:00 GMT on 2 November, but people will line up from 10:00.

It will move from Bath Road through the town until it ends at 20:00 at Northgate.

Mr Hocking said: "The traffic management team will be putting out signs and making sure the traffic arrangements are in place, making sure all the car parks are signed as well."

Roads closed

Cornhill, High Street, Lamb Lane and Clare Street will be closed from 08:00 GMT.

From 09:00 GMT, Parkway will be closed, followed by Knowle Road and Trevor Road closing at noon.

From 13:00-13:30 GMT, Broadway will be closed from Salmon Parade to Eastover and Monmouth Street from Broadway to Cross Rifles.

From 16:00 GMT, Bath Road from Kingsdown to Cross Rifles, Monmouth Street, Broadway from Monmouth Street to Taunton Road, Taunton Road from Broadway to St Mary Street, St Mary Street, Cornhill, High Street, Penel Orlieu, Mount Street Northgate, The Clink, East Quay and Wylds Road Bristol Road from The Drove to Cross Rifles will be closed.

How to get there

There will be park and ride schemes running from Dunball and from junction 24 off the M5.

Buses will take people into the town and will return them to their cars at the end of the night.

Car parks in Bridgwater at St Matthew’s Field, West Street and Bridgwater and Taunton College open at 10:30 GMT.