ROYAL wedding well-wishers can start sewing the bunting for April, after Redbridge Council pledged to cut the cost of street closures for parties.

The wedding, which will see Prince William tie the knot with long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton on April 29, has been declared a bank holiday.

Redbridge has become the latest in a string of councils to announce that road closures will be cut-price for the day.

A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “The charge that was supposed to be passed on to residents was for the cost of advertising the traffic order for closing the road.

“This, together with administration charges was in the region of �1,600. We will now meet these costs and they will not be passed on to residents.”

The cost of closing a road in the borough for one day, depends on the size and impact on traffic, but the greatest cost comes not from the street closure, but from advertising the closure.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last month urged councils to make street closures easier for revellers by cutting red-tape and form filling.

Council staff have also promised to contact police and emergency services on behalf of residents who wish to throw community celebrations to mark the day.

A Redbridge Council spokesman added: “Residents requesting street parties will need to complete an application form, so we can be sure that closing a road will not have an adverse impact on traffic or other residents.

“But we are bearing the brunt of the cost - advertising charges - for people who do want to celebrate with family, friends and neighbours,” he added.

A Redbridge police spokesman said they were going to discuss policing strategies in the borough for any street party events at a joined meeting between themselves and this council this month.

Copies of the street closure form can be obtained by calling Shelley Bamrah on 020 8708 3941 or by e mailing shelley.bamrah@redbridge.gov.uk.

ARE YOU PLANNING A STREET PARTY? Email Edwina.ellington@archant.co.uk