Council waives fees for coronation street party road closures

The council has waived road closure fees for locals who want to close off their street for street parties to celebrate the monarch’s coronation on the bank holiday weekend of May 6-8.

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Now’s the time to get organising if you want to celebrate the coronation weekend in style. For most of us it will be the first coronation to take place in our lifetimes, so it really will be an historic event.

“Normally residents would have to pay a fee to close their street to stage celebratory events. But this time that won’t happen.

“Already around a dozen streets around the city have requested road closures for the event and we’re anticipating there will be more applications in the coming weeks.”

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort takes place on May 6. It will be the first coronation to have taken place since the late HM the Queen’s coronation in 1953.

The UK Government has declared May 8 an extra bank holiday.

Swansea Council’s move comes as Welsh Conservative MSs Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Tom Giffard MS, Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, wrote to every unitary local authority in Wales to push for councils to make the most of the opportunities of the coronation.

Commenting, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Sam Rowlands MS said: “Councils have the opportunity to bring together the community in celebration of the coronation of our King. Authorities should hold screenings alongside other activities, facilitating a bank holiday weekend to remember.

“Councils have a responsibility to promote the coronation and encourage community participation in it across Wales, such a momentous occasion is an excellent opportunity for councils to galvanise the community.”

Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Tom Giffard MS said: “Wales has always had strong ties with the monarchy. With our new King a Welsh Speaker, this coronation is an important moment for Wales. Councils must make sure venues across Wales screen the live coronation ceremony and the coronation concert.

“The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey on May 6th; let’s make sure all of Wales are.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)