by Anna White
awhite@thekmgroup.co.uk

Most people holding street parties to celebrate this year's Royal Wedding will not be charged for road closures, it has been confirmed.

Prince William will marry Kate Middleton on Friday, April 29, and an extra bank holiday has been granted.

Earlier this week we reported that anyone holding a street party would have to pay about £1,025 for road closures, but KCC has now confirmed it will waive the fees in most cases.

A budget has been set aside to cover the costs of closing side roads or estate roads which are not major routes.

Charges will still be made for closures of major through-roads, however.

People who want to hold a street party on a public highway currently have to pay £260 for legal preparation, £650 for advertising, and a £115 assessment fee.

Applicants are also required to provide a copy of £5 million public liability insurance, a risk assessment, location plan of the event, and details of temporary signs, if needed.

The government encouraged councils to waive the costs.

Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles said last year: “Fetes, street parties and fairs should be fun, and everyone’s energy needs to go into the fun part – not trawling through endless reams of guidance and dusty rules.

“I want to banish the myths around laws preventing people from putting on events.”

Leeds Castle will show the royal wedding live on a big screen.

Media officer Gemma Watts said: “We see it as Kent’s royal palace. The castle has been home to six medieval queens in the past and it was a preferred residence of Henry VIII.”

After the ceremony, there will be a screening of the film Mamma Mia! and a firework display.

Two people who will not be at the castle are kmfm’s royal couple, Karen Thomas, 26, and Lee Durden, 27, of Scott Close, Ditton, who will be saying “I do” on the same day as William and Kate at Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, Maidstone.

* If you would like more information on holding a street party or to register an interest, call Kent Highways on 0845 824 7800.

If you are holding a street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding, contact us by emailingmessengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk