ORGANISERS of a Newport carnival say they could lose thousands of pounds if they are forced to re-route the procession because of a road closure.

Traders in Pill are angry that Commercial Road has been closed off for a number of weeks after a fire badly damaged a derelict property at number 40.

They say the closure is affecting business and could force the annual carnival, being held on the August 28 Bank Holiday Monday, to change its route, costing them thousands of pounds in extra security.

Local businesswoman Ann Barton, also a member of Pill Carnival Committee, said: "The traders are losing business because nobody wants to come down here."

The road is closed next to the Kwiksave supermarket. A spokeswoman said the closure was affecting business and the company are speaking to the council to seek the reopening of the road.

Jayne Lewis, secretary of the Pill Carnival Committee, said the closure will have an effect on the carnival.

"The parade will have to be re-routed and it could cost us thousands of pounds for extra police and extra marshalling.

"But there's no way it will stop the procession. We will just have to take the longer route and pay for it.

"The council are really dragging their feet over this. They could do a bit more to sort out the building."

The procession is due to leave the docks at 2pm, up Alexandra road and onto Commercial Road, before turning left onto Cardiff Road, then left onto Mendalgief Road and back to the docks.

With Commercial Road closed the parade will have to turn onto Frederick Street and up Usk Way, then Dock Street and then onto George Street before the final leg.

Last year the parade featured 15 floats and a large number of walking entries, and the committee expect similar numbers this year.

The committee is meeting with Pill police to discuss the arrangements and the cost of changing the route.

A spokesman for Newport council said the road next to the property is closed for public safety reasons after the blaze caused structural damage to the roof and neighbouring properties.

He said: "Officers from Newport city council's building control service have held discussions with the carnival organisers about the road closure."