Hundreds of soldiers will be parading through the streets of Hexham as 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA) exercises its Freedom of Northumberland. 

Council ready to welcome Freedom Parade through Hexham

Hundreds of soldiers will be parading through the streets of Hexham as 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA) exercises its Freedom of Northumberland. 
 
The parade, on Saturday, July 16, will involve a military band, around 300 service personnel, equipment and vehicles and strengthen the RHA’s very important ties with the county and people of Northumberland.  
 
3RHA was awarded the Freedom of the County in 2016, shortly after the return of the Regiment to the UK following many years based in Germany and the parade will mark only the second time that the Regiment has exercised this freedom. 
 
The event is a great honour for both Hexham and the county and will be a fantastic spectacle. Residents are being asked to put the date in their diaries now so they can turn up and give the soldiers the very warm welcome they deserve.
 
The event timetable is: 
  • 10:00 Marching contingent leave Chisholm Place for Beaumont Street (moving along Priestpopple) 
  • 10:25 Marching contingent arrive at Beaumont Street 
  • 10:30-11:30 Inspection & address 
  • 11:30 Prominent personalities set off for Hexham Abbey 
  • 12:00-13:15 3 RHA exercise freedom of Northumberland through streets, heading northwest. 
 
Civic Head for Northumberland County Council Councillor Trevor Cessford said: “This will be a fantastic and I’m sure moving event for Hexham and the people of Northumberland.  
 
“To support our troops is not to be an advocate of war but it is to show our appreciation for what they do in the service of all of us, to let them know that we value them.  
 
“That’s why I’m hopeful that as many people as possible will turn out on the 16th July to show 3RHA that we are proud of them and fully support their decision to parade through the streets of Hexham.”  
 
As with any major event taking place on public streets, road closures will be taking place before, during and after the parade. The council has been working closely with the army to minimise disruption. 
 
Below are details of road closures and parking restrictions: 
 
Full road closures will be in place on the following roads from 06:00 to 11:30 on 16th July; -Beaumont Street and St Mary’s Wynd (access will be maintained for residents of St Mary’s Wynd until 09:00) 
 
Full road closures will be in place on the following roads from 10:00 to 11:30 on 16th July; -Market Street (access will be maintained for businesses and residents until 11:00) 
 
Moot Hall Footway will be closed 11:00 to 11:30 on 16th July. 
 
No waiting restrictions will be in place with all parking restrictions suspended on Beaumont Street and St Mary’s Wynd by the use of “no waiting” traffic cones 15th July from 17:00 to 11:30 on 16th July or until the parade has finished. 
 
Where full road closures are not specified above, a rolling road closure will be in place on 16th July from 10:00 to 10:30 from Chisholm Place, Priestpopple (A6079), Priestpopple (B6305), Cattle Market (B6305), Battle Hill (B6305) to Beaumont Street. 
 
No waiting restrictions will also be in place from 17:00 on 15th July until 11:30 on 16th July or until the parade has finished, by the use of “no waiting” traffic cones to assist with traffic flow and event management on Priestpopple, Battle Hill, and Cattle Market and on any other road deemed appropriate to the event. 
 
Any queries about the road closures or parking restrictions can be directed to roadclosures@northumberland.gov.uk 
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