TRAFFIC problems have forced carnival organisers to change the route of their procession.

Police complained that the new route of Horwich Carnival Parade would lead to traffic chaos on Chorley New Road.

Now the organisers and the police have come up with an alternative route for the floats and walkers.

The mix-up started when organisers decided to lengthen the route of the traditional parade.

In recent years, the growing number of entries meant the tail end of the procession had not even set off as the carnival queens and other leaders arrived back at the starting line.

But now visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the parade are being warned to ignore a proposed route starting at Ingersoll Rand which is mapped out in the official programme

Floats will now line up in Ramsbottom Road and other entrants on the RMI car park.

The Horwich carnival committee say they are delighted with the changes proposed by police because they add an extra mile onto routes followed in former years.

The parade starts at 12.30pm on July 12 and will now move east along Chorley New Road to Victoria Road, up Victoria Road to Lee Lane, down to the Crown roundabout and back up Chorley New Road to old Station Park. The carnival committee need extra collectors to join Horwich Heritage Group and Horwich New Heart Club. Volunteers aged over 16 should pick up cans from the junction of Ramsbottom Road and Chorley New Road from 11.30am on the day of the carnival.

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