St Helier's Christmas lights switch-on cancelled following forecasts of wet and windy weather

Picture: TONY PIKE. (34717700)

THE St Helier Christmas lights switch-on has been cancelled after organisers concluded it would be ‘unsafe’ to go ahead due to continuing ‘adverse weather’.

The event, which was due to feature a festive parade through town and fireworks, was originally due to take place last week, but was postponed to this Thursday due to bad weather.

However, organisers said today that ‘having reviewed the weather forecast it is still unsafe to go ahead with large numbers of people at an event’.

Jersey Met is currently forecasting heavy rain, and force-six to seven winds on Thursday.

The lights will, however, be illuminated from Thursday and the Genuine Jersey Christmas Market is still due to take place in the Royal Square from 10am until 8pm.

Connor Burgher, town centre and events manager, said: ‘This has been an incredibly tough decision to make as the switch on is such a fun evening, but the safety of people has to come first.

‘I do encourage you to still come to town though for Christmas shopping, to visit the Genuine Jersey Christmas Market and see what our retailers and hospitality industry have to offer.’

Jersey Met issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for the island today.

Gusts of up to 60mph were expected this morning before the winds decrease slightly this afternoon and pick up again this evening.

Further gales are expected tomorrow morning, and St Brelade’s honorary police are warning that high tides combining with southerly winds are likely to see the roads at the bottom of La Haule Hill – La Neuve Route and La Route de la Haule – becoming flooded.

The honorary force added that the roads and cycle track may need to be closed.

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