To ask whether you are aware of the NATO summit taking place in Wales in September?

[emsiewill]

If you live in South Wales you are probably aware that 82 of the world's leaders, including Obama will be at the NATO summit taking place at the Celtic Manor in Newport on 4 - 5 September.

If you aren't local, you probably aren't aware that this is the largest security operation ever undertaken in the UK. That steel fences have been erected around the Celtic Manor and all around Cardiff, already causing traffic chaos.

And that this is taking place a mile from my house, I am on the route of one of the "peaceful" protests, and, with the current conflicts taking place in Gaza, Iraq and Syria, I am shit scared that the summit will be targeted by militants of one persuasion or another, and I and my family and neighbours will be directly in the firing line.

So, if you are not local to me, have you heard about this summit?

Hi OP. I know you in RL! And I have a personal theory (only partially lighthearted) that the Summit IS in fact taking place in the Castle. Ok I know it's not. But the utter ridiculousness of the chaos and the fences in Cardiff plus the 4 weeks of road disruptions and closures (17 Aug till 12 Sept) in the centre of the city and the page of road closures and diversions listed on the NATO advice page for Cardiff vs the 2 roads closed in Newport (adjacent to the Celtic Manor) and the only other closure being for the marches on Saturday and Thursday... Something doesn't add up!

The diverted traffic routes are also causing disruption , if your on foot in areas of the centre there is high fencing until you get to a gate ,you can't just cross where you normally would iyswim .

Hi NoNoNo do you?! I'm loving your conspiracy theory...and can see the logic behind it.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it means they've decided that Newport is expendable...and if something "goes down" here and there is "collateral damage" it won't matter...

I do OP. My DD is the reason I am NoNoNoMYDoIt. She features quite a lot on my FB.... Know who I am yet?

Central Cardiff is still navigable at the moment. Although there are delays. I work on Park Place and drive down North Road to get in. It is chocka but ok still. However from Weds am lots of roads are closed. Shut. Will be walking into the Port and getting a train as I am not allowed to work from home. Helpfully.

Hmmmm do you also have a ds? Did we used to sing together (don't mean duets!). Are you a runner?

Yup!

Aha!

Moved to Newport in about 2002 and cried on my first attempt at shopping on a Sunday how could it possibly have got worse? (I moved back to Cardiff in 2007).

Have it on good authority that several buildings near the castle will be vacated while the summit is on.

Uni buildings that face the castle / park are being shut.

Not read TWT but I was aware of this happening, only because a family member is working on policing it.

Apparently conversations were had about the absolute chaos the venue would cause but the powers that be were adamant

The raised terror alert is concerning. We live close to the airport, not the city centre or Celtic Manor and although there's been a fair bit of road resurfacing it's not enough for any main players to be travelling along IMO! I'd be amazed to hear that anyone with any real clout will fly into Cardiff airport, more the huge numbers of support staff I think.

The minor injuries unit at Barry being closed is nothing short of ridiculous. The whole idea is to keep the roads as clear as possible (hence the ridiculous school hours) but by redeploying the small numbers of staff from there to Cardiff, they will achieve the opposite!

Unfortunately NATO have not laid on any extra support to minimise the risk of any vale of Glamorgan residents sustaining a minor injury during the next week and so those of us who do will have to travel further.

I for one would choose The Royal Glamorgan over Princess of Wales or UHW but there has been nothing to direct people away from UHW. I bet the neighbouring Health Boards will be chuffed to bits too!

Does anyone thing this will effect western avenue? I am thinking I might cycle in but would usually go up black weir and through pontcanna fields. Wondering if even thesis going to be impossible? I absolutely cannot take leave next week so have to make it in to work.

That big fence goes through Bute Park according to DH. He's snoring like a warthog atm but I'll ask him whether he'd try cycling when he wakes up.

We was going to visit the Dr Who Experience in Cardiff next week,not sure now with travelling from Derby,don't want a wasted journey if we can't get near it etc.......

Why the fuck would they want to hold it at Celtic Manor?

You'll be able to get to the Dr Who Experience, there are some major fences around Cardiff Bay though which so certainly spoils it and makes it more tricky to get around. There will also be a Navy ship in one of the docks. I'd go earlier in the week if you can.

Western Avenue is likely to be busier than usual as it's one for the routes for diverted traffic. There are certainly fences and will be restrictions in Bute Park but I'm not sure of exactly where and when. Parkrun has diverted from Tesco Extra side of the Taff to the other side for a few weeks. I'm. It sure if either of the pictures I've attached will help with your planning DF.

Bugger. My boss has asked us to let her know if we think there may be issues getting in but I really can't not be there.

I need to get from Newport road (near the royal oak) to llandaf, so heading down Newport road away from town in the morning and then back again in the evening. Cycling would mean going through Roath, towards the Heath and then up the Taff trail.

I don't like the idea of being stuck in traffic with a toddler every morning and evening.

Hmm. Tricky. It's either going to be a complete over reaction and everything will be fine, or it'll be complete chaos.

Are buses an option? The bus lanes might mean that they move more quickly than the other traffic .

Iwishiwasmoreorganized thanks for that!!!

It was a nightmare on the m4 earlier. Lots of police standing around on the Coldra in the rain and wandering up and down Chepstow Road in pairs, I wanted to offer them all a brew!

Emsie is the cineworld in Spytty staying open? I heard it is closing when the new one opens..

I may have to go into zombie survival mode over the next week and not leave the house. Why do they all need to meet up anyway, can't they just skype

Buses would have to go through town, unless they have re-routed them?

Ah well, at least I don't live in Newport still, commuting would be a nightmare. I used to live off Chepstow road So would have been in the thick foot.

I live in Caerleon. And have to get to the centre of Cardiff. I will have a fair amount of fun I reckon. Which is why I am planning to walk along the river into Newport. And catch the train...

Going back to the original question. I knew about the summit, the venue and the security. I'm the opposite side of the country.
I reckon it's going to be horrendous for people just trying to go about their regular daily business

Dueling the fence is on the Sophia Gardens side only and ends at the tea room by the bridge. To cross the river you'd need to use the bouncy bridge by the weir but he thinks you'd be ok after that.