THE Wanstead Festival looks set to go ahead later this year but without a significant road closure after a Redbridge Council committee meeting heard it would cost £6,000.
Last year's event was held on Christchurch Green on September 19 without any road closure, but organisers hoped to see a stretch of Wanstead High Street sealed off for this year's event.
However, members of the council's area one committee agreed with a report from officers suggesting it was unsafe to rely on any funding from local businesses and that a road closure was unnecessary.
Wanstead councillor Michelle Dunn said: "It was an event that all of us enjoyed and the community enjoyed and we need that spirit in Wanstead High Street."
Funding for a concert on the evening of the event, such as the chamber concert by the Esprit Ensemble that took place in Christ Church, looks unlikely after councillors questioned the legality of subsidising a private event such as this.
Last year's event was attended by around 3,000 people and featured community stalls, a bandstand, a cycle circuit, skate park and an art exhibition.
The committee heard that an event without a road closure would cost £3,700, and councillors asked for precise costings to be presented in time for the next meeting.
