Kensington and Chelsea Council accused organisers NHCL of failing to properly handle the 2008 event, which attracted about one million people.

"We would love carnival to become a wonderful spectacle and a huge success that London can be proud of in 2012," said councillor Merrick Cockell.

"But we would settle for a carnival in 2009 that meets basic event management standards, particularly with regard to public safety."

"Virtually all the ingredients of proper event management were absent from this year's carnival, he added. "We need urgent and fundamental change from the organisers.

"Resources are there to help them make that change and we know there are talented people in NHCL capable of delivering it, but work simply must start now."

Lack of full information meant council officers and leaders of the masquerade bands had to put together a route plan in the week before the event and could not distribute vehicle passes until the day before, a report revealed.