POLICE have warned drivers to avoid the centre of Ealing tomorrow as a religious procession is set to cause severe congestion.

The Sri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Hindu Temple, in Chapel Road, West Ealing, will be hosting a Chariot Festival procession on Sunday, August 10 and Ealing Police have warned residents to expect a large number of people and hours of traffic.

Last year’s festival saw more than 10,000 in attendance, and this year’s event coincides with the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park and the Community Shield football match at Wembley.

Chris Mullally, spokesperson for the police, said: “We are disappointed that the trustees of the temple have chosen to continue with this event when the local authority declined a traffic management order.

“It is always difficult to assess how many people may take part in the procession, therefore, we would appeal to members of the public and residents, not participating in the procession, to avoid the area as congestion will be high.”

Participants are also advised to use public transport to minimise the congestion.

The festival will start at 9.45am from the Sri Kanagathurrkai Temple and travel through Uxbridge Road, Culmington Road, Mattock Lane and Princes Road before returning to the temple at Chapel Road.

The procession will make stops for 15-30 minutes on each road except the Uxbridge Road and aims to finish by 12.45pm, though police believe it will last longer and that congestion will remain high until mid-afternoon.

There will be no road closures but parking restrictions and restrictions on the route junctions, which will re-open once the procession has passed through.

Police officers will be on duty to ensure the procession runs peacefully.