Broughty Ferry’s Christmas light switch-on has been cancelled just a day before it was supposed to take place due to a yellow weather warning.
The event was supposed to take place at 6pm on Thursday – however it has now been cancelled due to the rain and flood warning issued by the Met Office on Wednesday.
Organisers have said the heavy rain and high winds predicted for Thursday make it too dangerous to hold the light switch-on.
The event – organised by Broughty Ferry Traders’ Association – is an annual tradition in the area.
Each year, hundreds of people flock to Brook Street to enjoy carnival rides and watch stage performances before the lights are officially switched on.
Public safety the priority for organisers
Steve James, chairman of the traders’ association, is gutted about the cancellation.
He said: “Unfortunately the weather warning makes it impossible for us to safely hold the event.
“Wind speeds of up to 38mph are forecast.
“We have to dismantle the stage if wind speeds even get up to 25mph so tomorrow’s winds are way too high to be able to go ahead.
“This is so disappointing.
“Last year’s event was such a fantastic success we were excited to repeat what we did then.
“We had so many local people play a part, including local schoolchildren, so this is a major disappointment.”
No time to reschedule Broughty Ferry light switch-on, traders say
Steve says unfortunately, due to the level of work required to set up and organise the event, it will be impossible to reschedule this year.
He added: “The lights will still go on but we just won’t be able to hold all our planned events on the evening.”
The event’s main sponsor is Broughty Ferry furniture store Gillies.
David Philp, the firm’s operations director, said: “We are deeply saddened and disappointed to announce the Broughty Ferry light switch-on has been cancelled.
“This is due to severe weather warnings.
“We need to put the public’s safety first.”
The yellow warning will be in place from 3pm on Thursday until 6pm on Friday.
Most of Tayside and Fife is included in the warning, along with swathes of the east of Scotland.
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