PLANS by the Orange Order to shorten its main Belfast route for next year's Twelfth of July parade have been dropped, it has been confirmed.
The proposals to shorten the route by six miles and to scrap the field section of the parade were revealed last year in an internal Orange Order document.
The plans followed a review of the 2022 Twelfth celebrations in the city commissioned by the Belfast County Grand Lodge, which described the events as "abysmal and unacceptable" and "probably the worst for decades”.
It is understood the review was prompted by anti-social behavior by crowds in the Shaftesbury Square area of south Belfast during the return leg of the parade.
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The internal report suggested that the route from Carlisle Circus in north Belfast to Barnett’s Demense on the outskirts of the city, was "too long", and that marchers should instead turn back towards the starting point upon reaching Elwood Avenue on the Lisburn Road.
The report said of plans for next year's Twelfth in Belfast: "Let's make 2024 a parade fit for a King."
However, an Orange Order spokesperson confirmed to the Irish News on Thursday that next year's parade will proceed along the traditional route.
