The Parades Commission tonight gave the go-ahead for a controversial Orange march in the Springfield Road area of west Belfast. Allowing the parade, the Commission criticised the Orange Order for not engaging with local representatives.
Security is expected to be tight for Saturday's parade which has been the scene of furious clashes between nationalist protesters and Orange supporters in previous years.
No restrictions have been imposed on the route to Whiterock Orange Hall but the Commission has banned music, the flying of flags and paramilitary trappings during parts of the parade which passes into nationalist areas.
Restrictions have also been placed on a protest parade planned by the Springfield Residents Action Group.
The group had earlier proposed a five-point compromise plan allowing a smaller parade but there was no agreement with the Orange Order.
In its determination, the Commission welcomed the attempted compromise and expressed disappointment that Orangemen had failed to engage with community representatives in the area.
Residents' spokeswoman Ms Frances McAuley condemned the decision to allow the parade to go ahead. "The community is so shocked. We really thought this year that they may have given some recognition to the inroads we have tried to make.
"We actually offered to facilitate a smaller parade on the road to try and resolve issues and bring people into talks.
"It's been totally rejected by the Orange Order and effectively rejected by the Parades Commission who have given absolutely no recognition to our efforts," she added.
PA