Green light for fair despite roadworks

An event which brings thousands of people into a Staffordshire village will go ahead next year – despite fears planned roadworks would force its cancellation.

Kinver Country Fair was thrown into doubt for the second year running.

It happened after an improvement scheme for the village High Street was announced. But at a meeting organisers decided the fair could go ahead as planned with discussions to take place with Staffordshire County Council to find a way of working around the scheme.

The fair is the village's busiest day of the year – bringing in thousands of pounds for shops and businesses. A theme has not been decided but May 16 has been set as the date.

Concern had grown that the latest works, which will see extensive changes to the High Street including tearing up speed bumps, cutting parking spaces and resurfacing cracked pavements, would be disruptive.

Works have already proved controversial with traders as it will be the third time in three years major roadworks have taken place in the village. But organiser Lin Hingley said the event was an important boost to village trade and no-one wanted it to be cancelled.

"We had a similar problem with this year's fair coinciding with works taking place in the village and a way was found for it to take place," she said.

"The same will be true for the 2009 event. It was just so successful for the town this year there was no way it could be cancelled.

"Work will now begin to get everything organised and we hope people will support the event as usual."

Mrs Hingley said talks would be taking place to iron out details of how the event could take place.

"At the moment we do not know the exact timetable for the scheme.

"As soon as more information is released we will talk to the county council and work out what will be done."

This year's event, opened by ex-West Bromwich Albion star Bob Taylor, was attended by thousands of residents and more than 70 businesses took part.