Port Glasgow Orange Lodge procession decision this week

As previously reported by the Telegraph, an application has been submitted by the Loyal Orange Lodge District 19 to hold a memorial procession in the town on Saturday, October 19.

If permission is granted for the event in its current form, participants will gather at 2.45pm before proceeding along Boglestone Avenue, Ardmore Road, Springhill Road, Balfour Street, Shore Street, Princes Street, John Wood Street, Bay Street, Fore Street, and to the Cenotaph.

The return procession will commence at 4.30pm and will proceed from Boglestone Community Centre, Dubbs Road and Boglestone Avenue with dispersal at the Orange Hall at Boglestone Avenue.

The notice states that the procession is a memorial parade for members who have passed away and were members of Port Glasgow 19 district.

The proposed event is on a much smaller scale than the major procession held in Inverclyde earlier this year, which saw thousands of Orange Order members hold a march in Gourock at the end of June. 

This time, around 60 people are expected to take part, with a flute band set to attend together with a bus.

Council officials say that there have been no objections to the procession from Police Scotland, however an objection letter has been received from Port Glasgow West Community Council.

The letter, signed by Port Glasgow West Community Council secretary Tommy Rodger, cites concerns about the impact of the march on trade in the town centre.

The proposed event is on a much smaller scale than the major procession in Gourock at the end of June. (Image: Alex Craig) It states: “Port Glasgow Town Centre is an already vulnerable trading centre, and this procession will disturb trade within the town.

“It will also disrupt local residents from going about their business, e.g. shopping and other visits.

“The procession will cause disruption to public transport routes, and transport links between bus and train services.

“Various groups have the democratic right to march, and promote their views.

“We do not object to this procession, but we do object to the proposed route.

“When the procession reaches the bottom of Balfour Street, we propose that they can turn left, along Brown Street towards Ardgowan Street.

“Or alternatively, the procession can go down the Clune Brae, and along the A8, towards the Cenotaph, if that is their objective.

“We strongly object to the procession going along Shore Street, Princes St, John Wood St, Bay St and Fore St, and disrupting Port Glasgow Town Centre business and local residents.”

Police Scotland, in their submission to Inverclyde Council, say the procession is an annual event and has caused no reported issues in the past.

The police's submission to the authority's general purposes board also states: "The parade route has been examined and appears to be in order. However, there is some likelihood of disruption to pedestrian and vehicular traffic should the parade go ahead."

Police say the applicant has agreed to the provision of eight stewards escorting the parade along the full length of the route, while no music can be played while passing any place of worship whilst services are in progress.

The Police Scotland submission adds: ""The applicant will be present and in charge of the parade.

"The parade will not start without the presence of the police and all police instructions must be followed."

In light of the objection, councillors will decide whether to make an order prohibiting the holding of the procession, or impose conditions on the holding of it, at a meeting of the general purposes board on Wednesday, October 9.