Why Lincoln Christmas Market Sunday was cancelled

Organisers had a difficult decision to ensure the Christmas Market was a safe and legal event, explained City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire Police.

The final day of the annual market was cancelled late on Saturday night due to fears of extreme weather conditions.

Simon Walters, director for communities and the environment at the City of Lincoln Council told The Lincolnite: “We took advice from a range of agencies yesterday afternoon and we have been keeping an eye on the weather for the last few days. We left it until the last possible time to make the decision.

“It became clear we were expecting between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow to hit Lincoln. It has an implication not just for the market but also for the wider road network.

“The market attracts people from all over the region and beyond. The decision was made based on the risk of disruption to highways.

“Snow across the country has disrupted a number of places.”

Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Shaun West added the force had dealt with several road traffic collisions in the county during the early hours of the morning and that some roads in the Stamford and Grantham areas in particular had started to become impassable.

He added: “The Met Office has issued an amber warning. It is a rare occurrence to issue an amber warning.

“The Met Office themselves are saying only essential journeys should be made and ‘please refrain from driving’.

“It is incumbent upon the organiser to run a safe and legal event. They have some difficult decisions to make.

“This has been one of the largest operations we’ve been involved in from an armed policing point of view. I would like to credit my colleagues and indeed our partners for the work they have done over the last three days.

“Over 180,000 people attended the event. There will be a 36th market and that will be splendid as well.”

‘Staffing shortages just a rumour’

Some had taken to social media with allegations that a large number of security staff had left the event.

The Lincolnite also put this to the council. Simon Walters added: “It is very much a rumour, and I have to say the stewards we have been using have been absolutely great.

“Many stayed on to help until 1am, 2am in the morning and there are around 50 stewards also helping out today helping with the break down.

“That’s security staff as well. We had no staffing issues and a big thank you to all involved.”