THIS year’s Cowley Road Carnival is set to be cancelled for the second time in three years because of roadworks in neighbouring Iffley Road.

Organisers have been told a 40-week scheme to repair Iffley Road would make it impossible to close Cowley Road on Sunday, July 3.

It means the procession of dancers and bands, as well as the sound systems and stages, will not be able to use the East Oxford street.

The committee behind the carnival, which attracts more than 30,000 people, will now concentrate on an alternative plan, which could see the whole event shifted to South Park.

John Hole, chairman of Cowley Road Works, said organisers would take a pragmatic approach to the news, but were adamant the carnival needed a road.

He said organisers were pressing ahead on the basis the road could be closed but added a contingency plan was being drafted.

He said: “We will be in South Park with plan B and still hope to do something on the road itself.”

The first carnival was held in 2002. It was moved to South Park for one year in 2009, but events were held in both Cowley Road and South Park last year.

An email seen by us said Oxfordshire County Council was unable to support a Cowley Road closure because of the £2.5m Iffley Road revamp project set to start in May.

The work will see Iffley Road reduced to one lane of traffic.

County Hall was concerned about the impact on traffic and access which could affect police, fire and ambulance response times.

The carnival first staged additional events in South Park in 2009.

Mr Hole said ticketed events at the park were a valuable source of income for the charity.

Discussions are ongoing with a well known band to headline this year, but Mr Hole remained tight-lipped on names.

He admitted holding events exclusively in South Park would be a blow to Cowley Road traders, another vital income stream for the event.

He said: “Traders support the carnival because the carnival supports their business with thousands of people coming over the weekend.”

Mr Hole said the committee would also look at using pavements and areas such as Manzil Way Gardens if traffic could not be stopped.

County council spokesman Owen Morton said: “We are currently working with the organisers to find a solution which will enable the carnival to go ahead despite the planned reconstruction work on Iffley Road this summer.”

Oxford City Council provides some funding and support for the carnival.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of the roadworks on Iffley Road and how they may impact on Cowley Road Carnival and are working with the organisers and other parties to see if we can assist in resolving this matter.”