Protest rally organised for Hereford city centre

Herefordshire Council is working closely with the organisers of a planned rally against schools closures to ensure the event can take place safely, with minimal disruption for the travelling public.

The Herefordshire Against Closing Schools (HACS) rally is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 February 2008 - the same day as the livestock market - in Hereford city centre. The council's highways and transportation department and the police have agreed a route with the organisers, after a very productive meeting this week.

The marchers are expected to meet at Merton Meadow car park at 10.00am, where the organisers will have arranged lavatories and refreshments. The rally will start around 11.00am and will proceed through Blackfriars Street and along Widemarsh Street, crossing at Blueschool Street, which will be closed to traffic at this time with diversions organised by the highways department.

The marchers will turn left into High Town, through St Peter's Street and into St Owens Street, which will have only limited parking available during the event. The procession will then turn right along St Ethelbert Street, into Castle Street and proceed through Cathedral Close, turning right along Broad Street (which means West Street will be closed to traffic). The rally then turns back into High Town, where it will finish. The rally is expected to disperse at around 12.30 pm.

"We wish everyone a peaceful and safe rally", said Michael Hainge, director of environment for the council.

"We ask that those who were planning to visit the city or travel through it from 10.30 to 12.30 that day, make allowances for any disruption, which the council and the police will keep to a minimum, working closely with the organisers of the rally".