COLCHESTER Carnival could be delayed a month so a road closure order can be granted, it is hoped.

Police and council chiefs pulled the plug on the September 4 event by refusing to allow roads to be shut because they said organiser Ian Goldsworthy had failed to meet health and safety requirements.

They said there was no point putting in a fresh application to stop traffic because there was too little time.

Mr Goldsworthy wants to get the show back on the road by proposing a postponement until October 2. The magazine company boss said he doubted Colchester Council’s commitment to the hugely-popular parade, but added: “I’m sure we could pull it off if they had just a fragment of desire to.”

It takes a minimum of six weeks to get a road closure approved, as all proposals have to be advertised, with the public invited to comment, and Essex County Council needs two-and-a-half weeks to process them.

Martin Hunt, Colchester councillor with responsibility for street services, said the October 2 date would be too soon because less than six weeks remain.

He added an application for the following Saturday would be considered, although by then the nights would be drawing in and highways chiefs might ask for the parade to start at 1.30pm, instead of 2.45pm.

Mr Hunt said: “Any application Mr Goldsworthy makes for a road closure will be granted if it is correct and the police and highways officers are satisfied.

“The county council often don’t like granting closures after dark, so it would be a question of doing it earlier in the day, which might not please some town centre shops.”