A NUMBER of roads will be closed in and around the centre of Alloa when the Orange Walk rolls into town next weekend.

The parade on Saturday, July 8, is expected to bring 10,000 people and 73 bands to the Wee County and will be taking place between 1pm and around 4-5pm with a range of restrictions in place.

It is likely the route will take the walk past churches in the area, but organisers insist they do not aim to offend anyone and will instruct bands to stop playing.

No waiting or loading will be allowed on Castle Street and Greenhouse Loan near the glassworks between 5am and 6pm on the day. Glasshouse Loan itself will be closed off between 8am and 6pm.

A section of the A907 between Arnsbrae and Marshill will be shut to motors between 8am and 6pm while the Shillinghill to Marshill section westbound will also be closed between 10am and 6pm.

Restrictions will prohibit waiting or loading on Ludgate and Hill Street between 12noon and 6pm.

Sauchie's Parkhead Road between Ashley Terrace and Branshill Road will also be closed between 12noon and 6pm.

Rolling road closures will be in place too in a few places for shorter times – on Greenside Street, Union Street, Bank Street, Bedford Place and Grange Road between 10am and 10.45am.

Another set of rolling closures will affect Grange Road, Bedford Place, Bank Street, Mill Street, Mar Street, the B9096 Tullibody Road, Parkway, Sunnyside Road, Ashley Terrace, Hill Place, Hill Street, Tullibody Road and Ludgate between 12.30pm and 4.30pm.

While there will be plenty of restrictions and closures, people should still be able to access the town centre.

A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said: “The council will be issuing information and advice to local residents and businesses.

“We are working with event organisers and the police to put arrangements in place in respect of public safety and to assist with minimising disruption.

“Alloa town centre will still be accessible.”

Organised by the Orange Order, the walk is to celebrate the Protestant William of Orange's victory over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Robert McLean, executive officer of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, explained that when the parade goes past any place of worship, bands will be instructed to stop playing.

He said: “If there is a service in progress in any place of worship then we would instruct our bands to stop playing because we are not there to offend anyone.”

Mr McLean added: “We don't foresee any problems whatsoever, everybody will have a very enjoyable day, we are quite sure the crowds will turn out as normal, as they normally turn out in other places, and I'm just hoping the weather is great for everyone.”