By Paul Fisher

THE public are being warned that they will face delays due to a Lodge parade being held in the Three Towns this weekend, reports the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

North Ayrshire Council has received notification from County Grand Lodge of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Argyll of their intention to hold a public procession in Saltcoats on Saturday, July 1.

The organisers, in line with human rights legislation, are permitted to organise processions and don’t need a licence from the Council. But as many as 4,000 participants will take part, the Council, Police Scotland and the Lodge have held a number of meetings to discuss the route and how the procession can be best managed.

Orange Order walk: Major Glasgow streets to close on July 1 for procession

The routes agreed for the outward and return parts of the Procession are:

Outward: “Assemble in Glebe Park at 11am Move off at 11.30am via Glebe Place, Argyle Road, Caledonia Road, Ardrossan Road, (lay wreath at War Memorial), Hamilton Street, Chapelwell Street, Windmill Street, Braes Road (The Braes), Hill Street, Nineyard Street, Kyleshill, Barnett Crescent, Parkend Road, Kerr Avenue, Victoria Road, Braehead Place (cross over Raise Street/Sharphill Road), Argyle Road, Springvale Street, Glebe Street, Glebe Place to enter Glebe Park” The outward procession is 1.7 miles in length and will take approximately one hour and 20 minutes to complete. All participants are expected to be back in Glebe Park by around 1.15pm where the usual speeches will take place.

Return: From approximately 2.30pm they will exit Glebe Park via Donaldson Avenue, Argyle Road, Caledonia Road, Sorbie Road and enter into grounds of Ardrossan Academy and terminate.

The return procession route is approximately 0.75 miles long. It is expected that all participants (including those at the rear of the procession) will reach the end point no later than 4pm.

Orange Order walk: Major Glasgow streets to close on July 1 for procession

A council spokesperson said: “Due to the scale of this event residents should be aware that there is likely to be traffic disruptions during the times of the procession.”

Mr Jim McHarg, Grand Master of the Orange Order said: “As we look ahead to the main summer parades we are delighted to be in Saltcoats.

“We once again call upon every member of the Orange Order to enjoy the day with the utmost decorum. Our parades are a celebration of our heritage, not an excuse for anyone to criticise anyone else’s faith or beliefs.

“I also have a message to the members of the public who are not members of the Order but choose to support our parades: you are welcome, but please enjoy the music, colour and excitement of the march responsibly – alcohol on the streets is not permitted.”