The switching on of the Christmas lights display in Brighton and Hove was almost banned because of health and safety fears. The Council had threatened to cancel the event because children would have to cross a small road between their local church and the square where it was taking place.
The event this year was not being run by the Council but instead by a local charity - Brunswick in Bloom - which had planned to put on the same show as the Council had done for years. It involves a children's choir in the local church before the lights are switched on by the Mayor at the Christmas Tree.
However, fears over children crossing the road were raised, and the charity was told that the lights would be turned on by the workmen installing the tree instead. Organisers then suggested that a lollipop person could be present in order to help the children cross the road, but even that was considered too much of a risk.
The council have now agreed to let the event go ahead on their insurance and the police have indicated that they will come and help the children cross the road.
Trisha Gaskell-Watkins, who runs Brunswick in Bloom, said, "We're delighted. It's a lovely event and would have been a real shame if it had been cancelled. It's something for the children to look forward to and we're really happy it will go ahead this year."
Conservative councillor Ann Norman said, "One of the reasons for the council reaching this decision was that there were health and safety concerns that children had to cross a small road. The school children are always accompanied by a number of teachers and numerous parents and there are a good number of us councillors who will attend the whole event, carol singing and switching on the lights and are also available to assist with road safety. I am pleased this has now been resolved and that common sense has prevailed."
