AN orange lodge is planning to hold a public procession in Port Glasgow later this month.
A report has been submitted to Inverclyde Council’s General Purposes Board detailing a memorial procession through parts of the town, which is being organised by the Loyal Orange Lodge – District 19.
Officials have notified councillors of the march after an objection to it was received.
According to the council notice, participants will gather at 2:45pm on Saturday, October 19 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, 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.
Sixty 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, penned Port Glasgow West Community Council secretary Tommy Rodger, cites concerns about the impact of the march on trade in the town centre.
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 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 disrupt Port Glasgow Town Centre business and local residents.”
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 the next General Purposes Board meeting on Wednesday, October 9.
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