Eccleshall jubilee party bid rejected over detour fears

Would-be revellers in a Staffordshire village have been told their jubilee party cannot go ahead because motorists would have to make a 15-mile detour to avoid it.

Residents of Eccleshall had been looking forward to recreating a 1950s-style street party along the High Street.

Organiser Tim Hulse said: "We're very disappointed. You read that the council are going to be fully supportive of street parties and then they turn us down."

Mr Hulse, an accountant in the town, said residents had chosen Sunday, June 3 because there would be less traffic on the road.

But Staffordshire County Council, which controls the highways, argued that the High Street was too important a route to close, and indicated that the cost of diversions would fall on the village.

County councillor Henry Butters said: "We were delighted to hear that a group of Eccleshall residents had made enquiries with regard to celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a traditional street party.

"But, unfortunately, it would be inappropriate to close the High Street. We are happy to discuss alternative locations."