Leicestershire County Council is encouraging local communities to apply for free road closures to host street parties to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May.
The historic anniversary, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe, takes place on Thursday 8th May, and celebrations are being planned across the country across the weekend from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th May.
There is normally a fee for closing roads in order to hold events, in the region of £400 - £650,.but the local authority is waiving it to help support communities and groups who want to organise events.
The deadline for applications for a free road closure to allow a celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day to be held is Friday, 21st March.
Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, cabinet member for highways, said: "The 80th anniversary of VE Day is an historic event for the country - and the county of Leicestershire.
"We want to help people to celebrate and encourage communities to come together to mark this special occasion, so we’ll be waiving road closure fees.
"However, if you are planning an event, such as a street party, you will need to let us know in good time, so that the necessary arrangements can be put in place.”
The council is also offering free loans of signs and cones for event organisers, which will need to be collected from and returned to the Mountsorrel Highways Depot.
These also need to be applied for by the deadline of Friday 21 March, as availability cannot be guaranteed after this date.
Guidance on organising an event and an application for a road closure is available at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/plan-an-event or by e-mailing eventsnetworkmanagement@leics.gov.uk
Communities across Leicestershire are invited to get involved in the commemorations by hosting parties of celebration throughout the day in the streets, gardens, churches, town halls, pubs, and clubs.
Ideas, inspiration and resources for making the most of the day is available at www.veday80.org.uk where events can also be registered.
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