Carnival could soon make a return to Midsomer Norton High Street after it was confirmed it would be possible to bring a procession of illuminated floats along the road after an absence of more than 20 years.
Changes to the road layout had previously been blamed for the carnivals departure but investigations have shown it is possible to travel the other way up the one way street.
The revelation was made at a public meeting where around 40 people turned out to find out more about plans to make the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival bigger and better in coming years.
Steve Collins, chairman of the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association which organises the annual event which at present takes place in Westfield, explained that a three year trial has seen the dates of Somerset's historic carnivals shuffled giving the organisers in Midsomer Norton the chance to revamp the small carnival by improving the route and encouraging larger floats to take part. He added that the 'once in a generation opportunity' needs support from the local community.
Mr Collins said a new route would need to fulfil legal requirements including having somewhere for vehicles to stay overnight and a dispersal area where the floats, some as long as 100ft, could move on to the next carnival.
He said: "Ideally we would like to include Midsomer Norton, Westfield and Radstock but the road layout may not make it possible for the floats to tackle Wells Hill in or out of Radstock. We are open to all comments and suggestions and want as many people as possible to get involved in the future of carnival. This is a once in a generation opportunity which could hopefully see Midsomer Norton back on the county circuit with bigger floats taking part."
A one and a half miles route which would start and finish at the Radco has been suggested. It would see floats travelling along Somervale Road, Radstock Road and North Road before turning along Church Lane and back the wrong way up Midsomer Norton's High Street.
Mr Collins said it was possible to get the floats along the road because of improvements with towing vehicles which mean it is now easier to manoeuvre but said it is still early days and encouraged members of the community to get behind the plans by giving up some of their time to help work on the project.
He said: "There may be alternative routes or other suggestions nobody has thought of yet. Helping us make the dream a reality could mean just spending a few hours at home one evening looking at maps. We have a lot of support for within carnival and hope that with support from local people the long-held dream of getting a bigger carnival will become a reality."
Support was offered from local carnival clubs and from local councillors.
Cllr Chris Watt (Con, Midsomer Norton Redfield) said: "I would dearly love to see the carnival come back down Midsomer Norton High Street. Any support I can offer to make that happen will be available."
Julian Sheppard said: "I have got out of my retirement armchair in Holcombe to come to this meeting because having a bigger carnival back in Midsomer Norton would be good for the local community and good for business." Mr Sheppard, who owned a High Street business for many years, said he had heard from many people who said they felt the event had 'lost its heart' since it moved to Westfield.
Anyone who wants to be involved should contact secretary Hazel Franklin on 01761 415334 or through Facebook: www.facebook.com\midsomernortoncarnival