THANK goodness common sense has prevailed at last and the Remembrance Sunday parade in Newbridge will be allowed to go ahead.

Yesterday the Argus was told that Caerphilly Council had backed down and removed the one hour 15 minute time limit on road closures which veterans had found so inadequate. They acceded to the demand that the parade took as long as it needed, as it had for decades.

So the Newbridge branch of the Royal British Legion will now be able to honour our war dead without hindrance and another bastion of British life has withstood the onslaught on bureaucracy and the minions of the health and safety industry.

Goodness knows why this row had to develop in the first place. We are certain that not one councillor with any sense would have suggested the timing restriction that led the Legion to threaten the abandonment of its parade.

So who, exactly was responsible for this monumental piece of insensitivity that has led to the council looking so foolish?

We are not suggesting a witch-hunt, for this is not a sacking matter. But the person or persons responsible should be told clearly the error of their ways.

You do not fool with sacred tradition and you do not cross swords with the diminishing numbers of distinguished service personnel from bygone conflicts who simply want to pay their respects to their fallen comrades.

It was they and their colleagues who maintained the freedom of this land from our enemies and the bureaucrats who would seek to impose their authority on this gallant band should know that their numbers may be falling but their spirit remains indomitable.