DOVER Carnival has been cancelled this year and the organisers have blamed the decision on Dover District Council (DDC).

The event was due to have been held on Saturday, July 5 but Dover Carnival Association Limited,(DCAL), director Sid Perkins said the council had given his organisation no tangible support during its four years, and had put obstacles in the way.

"If the council are so helpful why are there special conditions applied to DCAL and Deal Carnival that aren’t applied to other associations?" he said.

"Why is there not a level and consistent level playing field? Why are other local associations allowed a funfair on carnival day, but this is denied in Dover?

"I am not prepared to spend any more of my personal money doing this for Dover, and so as director of DCAL I am forced to cancel this year’s Dover Carnival."

A meeting took place between DCAL and DDC events committee two weeks ago when an earlier starting time was discussed for the carnival. Last year it started at 3pm, in previous years the start time had been 6pm.

"It was suggested a later start to the 3pm start we had in 2007 as we had allegedly brought Dover to a standstill traffic-wise," said Mr Perkins.

"We explained that there are 365 days in any one year, and we may well have caused a certain amount of disruption to that, but for no more than 45 minutes at any given time, as we operate a ‘rolling road closure’.

"We also argued that it brought much-needed tourism to Dover as people came into town to see carnival and our shops were still open."

Mr Perkins said he thought the meeting had agreed on 5pm. "However, after we left the events group made their own decision to make the parade a 6pm start, despite all of our reasoning."

"We have expressed our disgust at DDC for deciding the start time behind our backs. Not only this but they have also now asked if we will change to a Sunday."

In a statement, the council said: "We fully appreciate the significance of the carnival for the local community, and partnership agencies, including DDC, Kent Highways and Kent Police have been working hard with organisers to help facilitate this event.

"Agencies do need to balance considerations with the needs of everyone in the town, and following last year’s event on a Saturday afternoon, agencies had feedback about a range of issues, including problems with church weddings, bus services being abandoned, and the traffic impact on the town centre on a busy Saturday afternoon.

"The Events Committee therefore requested a more convenient start time after 6pm. This is in line with other carnivals in East Kent on a Saturday. To help organisers, we have offered free use of the Town Hall.

"We would be very sorry to see this community event fail to take place and would welcome the chance to continue to work with organisers to find a way forward for the benefit of everyone."