ORGANISERS of a march in memory of people who have died at work have been warned they will be liable if anything goes wrong at the event.

County Durham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has confirmed it does not support the Worker’s Memorial Day march planned to take place on Sunday (April 28).

The march through Stanley Crook, County Durham, has been organised by Families Against Corporate Killers (Fack) with support from several unions.

Linda Whelan, founder of Fack, has previously told The Northern Echo she plans to go ahead with the march despite objections from the advisory group, which is made up of several bodies including Durham County Council and Durham Police.

Last year’s march was cancelled due to SAG’s objection, but Mrs Whelan said she is determined to go ahead with the ten-minute long march, which will feature families of people who have died at work, union representatives and old mining banners.

The walkers will start at 1.30pm at the eastern end of the village before the march to St Thomas’ Church nearly a mile away where a service will be held.

A statement from SAG said: “The Safety Advisory Group has been informed that the planned route of the march is down the middle of a road.

“Public safety is paramount and the SAG does not support the march going ahead as planned on the grounds of health and safety.

“The organisers have been advised that for the march to go ahead safely it should either take place off-road or a road closure should be put in place.”

The march will not be physically stopped by police but, should it cause any accidents or incidents, the march’s organisers will be solely responsible for the consequences.

Mrs Whelan, who started Fack after her son Craig died in an industrial chimney accident in 2002, said she understands they would be responsible but insisted the walk is going ahead.

The mother from Willington, County Durham, said: “We are not planning to take up the whole road at all, cars will be able to pass but in previous years we have found many drivers actually stop to show us some support.

“This is not a protest, it is a respectful and peaceful walk to remember those who have died and campaign for the safety of working people.”