THERE'S been a call for Loyalist bands to be re-routed away from the Church Place area following last week's parade by Dollingstown Flute Band.

But it's a call hardly likely to be welcomed in Loyalist circles with local bands saying they've made enough compromises already.

The call also comes in advance of Saturday night's parade by Craigavon Protestant Boys Flute Band who have hit out at the Parades Commission for re-routing them away from William Street.

The band had applied to march down William Street alone while the bulk of the parade passed though Church Place.

However, the Parades Commission has ruled no band can pass down William Street and that all bands must be clear of Church Place by 9.30pm on Saturday night.

The ruling closely resembles the restrictions imposed on last Friday's parade by Dollingstown - who had to clear Church Place by 9pm.

Police enforced this decision by blocking access to Church Place at 9pm on Friday and the same thing looks likely to happen on Saturday.

For Sinn Féin the restrictions didn't go far enough with local Councillors John O'Dowd and Francie Murray hitting out at the behaviour of bands during last week's parade.

They said the behaviour of the bands involved was 'scandalous and certainly predictable'.

"It is clear from our observations of the evening's events that the only purpose of these parades is to play sectarian tunes and intimidate the Nationalist population," they said.

It was also pointed out, "The behaviour of some of the bands involved clearly show that they have no respect even for Protestant Churches or the War memorial if they have the chance to batter drums and play sectarian tunes close to Nationalists."

They went on to say video evidence covering breaches of conduct would be presented to the Parades Commission.

However, the Commission did receive criticism from the Councillors for allowing the parade to pass through Church Place, "In Sinn Féin's discussions with business people none accept the need for disruption to their business and the life of the local community."

The Councillors concluded, "We support the view that all loyalist parades be turned at the old toilets at Carnegie Street then the marches and the people of the town can go about their business."

However, both Craigavon Protestant Boys and Dollingstown Flute Bands have issued statements which in essence say they have made enough compromises.

Craigavon Protestant Boys said the Commission had noted their well organised parade of last year but the latest ruling gave them no credit for that.

It was also pointed out they had offered to re-route all other bands away from William Street and had offered to meet with business people in Church Place and William Street and that they would clear Church Place voluntarily by 10pm.

A spokesman went on to say, "So called tension in the area is being caused only by Nationalists." The spokesman added, "The Parades Commission says it recognises our willingness to compromise. Where is that recognition?"

In terms of disruption to commercial life the spokesman said, "Republicans have caused disruption for over 30 years."

He went on to say the band was 'disappointed and frustrated' at the latest ruling adding, "We complied with every determination last year, what for?"

A spokesman for Dollingstown Flute Band also pointed to the concessions they had made, "We gave up Wakehurst and have had William Street taken off us with the Commission pointing to Rosemary Nelson's office as the reason. Her office isn't there now so they can't give that excuse anymore."

He said the bands had all behaved well on Friday night and the security operation in place had allowed people to come and go.

Friday night's parade passed largely without incident, even when police blocked the parade's progress into Church Place after 9pm.

However, independent witnesses noted a number of bands were in breach of the code of conduct with the most blatant being the playing of 'The Sash' in Church Place.

Bands involved in such incidents were Portadown Defenders, Kilcluney Volunteers and Armagh Fusilliers.