A large funeral with around 500 mourners is expected to cause traffic delays in Luton on Friday (May 31).
Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes while the funeral cortege, which will include a horse-drawn hearse, makes its way along Dunstable Road to the Calvary Church of God in Christ and then on to The Vale Cemetery.
It is expected that Dunstable Road, Lewsey Road, Holgate Drive , Hebden Close, Chaul End Road, Hatters Way, Francis Street, Crawley Road, Telford Way, Hucklesby Way, Old Bedford Road, Midland Road, Hitchin Road, Vauxhall Way and Butterfield Green are the main roads that may experience delays from 9.30am onwards.
The public car park on Crawley Road will also be closed on Friday morning until approximately 11am.
Superintendent David Boyle, based at Luton Police Station, said: “Clearly such a large funeral and procession will cause some traffic congestion on the roads along the route and I am leading a dedicated operation to manage this event.
“Bedfordshire Police has many years experience in dealing with large events of this nature. We have been working with the Luton Borough Council, the local highways authority, bus companies and other partners to minimise any disruption to the local community and motorists in the area and to ensure the funeral runs as smoothly as possible.
“Members of the Road’s Policing Unit will be on hand to help keep the roads as clear as possible as the procession makes its way to its destination.
“My message to motorists and the general public is to ask for their understanding and forbearance at this sad time and to reassure them that officers and partners will do all they can to minimise any disruption. However, I would advise anyone who was planning to use the roads affected by the procession on Friday to find an alternative routes wherever possible.””