The Carnival Planning and Management Agency (CPMA) is staging the annual carnival Parade of the Bands on Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19, 2016 to commence near Caribbean Cinemas on the Choc Highway.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will be responsible for the effective management of security and traffic during the two-day event.

The public is hereby advised of the route, commencement and end time of Carnival 2016.

J'ouvert will commence at 4 a.m. and end at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 18. Bands and revelers will assemble at the Vigie Playing Field and will proceed down the John Compton Highway, then right onto Peynier Street, right onto Jeremie Street, onto Bridge Street, then right onto Micoud Street, right onto Manoel Street, right onto Jeremie Street, left to Peynier Street and to the John Compton Highway to complete the city circuit.

The Parade of the Bands will commence at 10 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18. On Tuesday, July 19,  the parade will commence at midday and end at 7 p.m.

Bands and revelers will assemble at Choc, near Caribbean Cinemas.

The parade will move south along the Castries-Gros Islet Highway, onto the John Compton Highway, past the Vigie roundabout to the Waterfront, then right onto Peynier Street, right onto Micoud Street, right onto Manoel Street, right onto Jeremie Street, then left to Darling Road, left to Jn. Baptiste Street, then onto John Compton Highway continuing to the Castries-Gros Islet Highway, and ending at Caribbean Cinemas.

Commuters are advised that all vehicles travelling to Castries from Gros-Islet must turn left into Grand Riviere and utilize the Morne du Don - Balata Road with the EXCEPTION of vehicles wishing to exit at Sunny Acres. All vehicles wishing to travel to Sunny Acres MUST be escorted by a police outrider.

This diversion shall take effect from 9 a.m. on July 18, and from 10 a.m. on July 19.

All vehicles travelling northbound will utilize the Castries-Gros Islet Highway but will be restricted to the outer lane only. The inner lane MUST be kept free from all vehicular traffic as it will be utilized for emergency purposes. The relevant signage shall be erected to direct motorists accordingly.