Gipsy funeral traffic row: Council was 'powerless' to stop huge event

An estimated 5,000 people took to the streets of Essington on Monday to attend the funeral of pastor Davey Jones.

After the funeral service, the grievers took part in the procession which went from a field off Hobnock Road to Walsall Crematorium via Bursnips Road and Broad Lane. Police closed the roads on safety grounds for almost three hours.

The closures caused 'chaos' according to Essington Parish Council chairman David Clifft

But today South Staffordshire Council insisted there was nothing they could have done to stop the disruption, saying it was not a public event, but a private funeral.

David Pattison, director of legal and public health protection, insisted the family and organisers were involved in no wrong doing as far as the council was concerned.

He said: "The family or organisers of the funeral have not breached any of the council's rules or regulations.

"It's disappointing road closures happen and affect things when they do but I can assure residents it is through nothing done illegally from the family's end relating to our responsibilities at South Staffordshire Council.

"We can only liaise with police and get involved if road closures are necessary for public events such as street markets and summer fetes.

"But because it was a funeral no council approved planning permission would be needed for a marquee. Because of the volumes of the people involved police have decided to take action.

"I think the police handled the situation very well."

Staffordshire County Council said arrangements as to the procession held would have been handled by police.

Hazel Dockery, a spokesman from Staffordshire Police, said the force did all they could to let people know about the event after liaising with Mr Jones' family.

She said: "We did make an effort to let people know on Friday following discussions with the family but at that time we were expecting between 1,500 and 2,000 people.

"It turned out to be more than that and that's why we made the spontaneous closures.

"But it is not appropriate for us to publicly announce the details because it is a private funeral. "

Residents from Essington also expressed their disgust on Facebook.

Replying to Essington Parish Councillor David Clifft's traffic warning on the social media site, Sarah Darnley said: "It was ridiculous. Police told me I couldn't go home even though I live in Essington."

Diane Penn added: "Ok we let them use the whole field but come on they don't need the whole road. One a carer and I have to use this road twice a day and night how can I get to service users homes on time if the road's blocked."