Talks aimed at ending the stalemate over Drumcree will be held in Craigavon, Co Armagh, tonight. The initiative is being organised by the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble.
He has invited elected representatives from the Portadown area, including two independent councillors from the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith and Mr Joe Duffy, to the meeting.
The initiative has been welcomed by the Coalition, the SDLP, Sinn Fein and Alliance. The DUP and some hardline Orange Order leaders have said they will boycott the meeting.
The discussions will be chaired by the chief executive of Craigavon Council, Mr Trevor Rainey. Around 14 councillors are expected to attend, including an Ulster Unionist councillor, Mr Arnold Hatch, who is also a member of the Order.
He said he was prepared to listen to the legitimate concerns of the residents but added: "I certainly will not be negotiating with Sinn Fein or their fellow travellers on the democratic right of the Portadown Orangemen to walk the Queen's highway. This meeting is not about negotiations."