SEDGEMOOR District Council have said that the largest contribution they make towards the carnival is by helping with the clean up.

The clear-ups happen overnight after each carnival and are undertaken by the council's Clean Surroundings staff.

They ensure that the towns are restored to a pristine condition by the morning following the procession.

A dedicated team of 20 staff sweep and collect what has been left by the 150,000 spectators at Bridgwater Carnival. 

The estimated cost of the Bridgwater clear-up is £3,500 which covers staff time, vehicles, bags and the cost of disposing of all those glasses, cans and food wrappers. 

The council added that it usually takes about seven and a half hours to clean the two and half mile route. 

Sedgemoor Clean Surroundings staff also clear-up after North Petherton Carnival, with an estimated additional cost to the authority of £2,000, and at Burnham-on-Sea Carnival, where the clear-up is largely completed within existing working hours.

The council also pay and arrange for the installation of portable public toilets at all three Sedgemoor carnivals.

Over 60 portaloos are provided in Bridgwater with twenty being installed ready for North Petherton Carnival. Providing portaloos for the three carnivals costs Sedgemoor District Council in the region of £9000.

The council provides a £4000 contribution to Bridgwater and North Petherton Carnival Committees to help with the cost of safety barriers. 

To support public safety the council’s Environmental Health staff will be completing food safety inspections at the mobile catering vans to ensure food is being served in a safe, compliant environment.

Sedgemoor’s CCTV team also work very closely with the police and other blue-light services to support and monitor any public safety and/or crime and disorder incidents.

The council monitors and provides support at Taunton and Wellington carnivals as well as Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea.

The council also foregoes parking charges in Sedgemoor-managed car parks in Bridgwater and Burnham to allow the carnival committees and clubs to ask for voluntary donations in the late afternoon and evening.

As the car parks are always full on carnival day this allows the committees to collect much-needed funds.

Sedgemoor District Council also processes the various traffic orders to temporarily close the roads at the Burnham-on-Sea and North Petherton Carnivals. 

These have to be applied for eight weeks before the event to make sure that everyone has time to be consulted.

Sedgemoor District Council is also supporting a multi-agency campaign taking place across Somerset to provide safety advice and guidance during the Halloween, carnival and fireworks season.

For tips and advice visit: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/newsroom/features/somerset-after-dark-crime-prevention,-personal-safety-and-traffic-tips-for-halloween,-bonfire-night-and-carnival-season/ or check out the #somersetafterdark hashtag on Twitter.

For more information on the Sedgemoor-based carnivals, including local road closures and car parking, please visit www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/6973