New doubt over Love Parade UK

The event could cost local taxpayers up to £500,000

Fresh doubts have been raised by the organisers of this year's Love Parade UK, to be held in Newcastle, which could see the event cancelled.

BBC Radio 1, who stage the outdoor dance party, have accused the city's council of failing to satisfy police requirements over transport and safety.

[The council needs] to bang a few heads together and get this issue sorted out

Andy Parfitt
BBC Radio 1 controller

The station's controller, Andy Parfitt, has set the council a deadline of 1800BST to resolve outstanding problems.

Crisis talks took place on Friday to reach an agreement on how to cater for an expected 250,000 clubbers, and allow the council to issue a public entertainment licence.

Earlier this week, the council agreed to provide financial backing and said they expected the event, featuring appearances by some of the country's biggest DJs, to go ahead on Saturday 21 July.

Mr Parfitt said the council's leadership had shown "massive" support for the Love Parade over many months, but that they must now resolve the outstanding problems.

Up to 400,000 were said to have attended in Leeds

"They now need to bang a few heads together and get this issue sorted out, or thousands of music fans are going to be disappointed," he said.

A council spokesman told BBC News Online: "There are negotiations going on with the organisers, police and city council and it hasn't been cancelled yet."

The clubbers are expected to watch up to 20 floats drive through the city centre before stopping for a huge open-air party.

Responsibility

Local police are reported to be worried about transport plans on a day when the city will also be hosting a football match.

Radio 1 says that is the council's responsibility.

The council has already suggested charging 30,000 drivers £10 to park their cars and be bussed to the event.

But Northumbria police told BBC News Online that the plan was not satisfactory.

"We are in the middle of assisting the council in their efforts to develop a feasible park and ride plan," a spokesperson said.

Local economy

"Our role is to ensure public safety, and up until now we haven't been happy that the park and ride that was proposed would work."

The event is expected to pump more than £14m into the local economy and is seen as one of the biggest dance music events of the year.

Last year's parade, which took place in Leeds, was attended by between 100,000 and 400,000 people, according to estimates.

The parade will start from the Tyne Bridge

Newcastle residents have previously voiced concerns about the taxpayers' bill of almost £500,000 and said they fear for their property if revellers are not properly controlled.

The parade is due to begin at the Tyne Bridge at 1100BST before the floats park up on Town Moor and continue playing music until 2300BST.

DJs scheduled to appear include Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Sonique.

Clubbers will then have the option of going to one of more than 12 all-night after parties, including one at the 11,000-capacity Newcastle Arena, where DJs will continue playing until 0800 BST the next morning.

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast coverage from the city between the Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

The annual British event was inspired by the Berlin Love Parade, which has become a legendary techno event since first being held in 1989 - but which is in doubt this year.