Torch relay travel advice

Police warn of road closures and possible disruption for motorists

With the Olympic Torch now on Welsh soil, South Wales Police are issuing travel advice to motorists.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of South Wales to see the Olympic Torch and its convoy as part of its 70-day relay around the UK.

As the Torch travels through our communities, road closures will be enforced to ensure the safety of spectators during the event.

Those roads will be reopened as soon as possible, once barriers and signage have been removed, roads cleaned and crowds dispersed.

However, the public can expect some traffic congestion and disruption in the areas around the Torch Relay procession before and after its passing.

Drivers are asked to avoid these travel hotspot areas if possible, or if journeys are absolutely essential to plan ahead and allow more time.

The public are also asked to park considerately to make areas around the procession as safe and visitor-friendly as possible.

The public can access details on road closures and travel advice on their local authority website.

Torch Commander Supt Steve Furnham said: "The wait for the Torch is almost over and we are excited for it to enter Wales on Friday for some fantastic celebrations ahead of the main Games.

We're working closely with partners to ensure all affected residents and businesses are informed of where and when roads will be closed or impacted on during the Relay so the public can plan their journeys.

"Travel information is available on local authority websites and we’re encouraging the public to visit the site for their area in advance.”

The Olympic Torch will travel the length and breadth of Wales, entering Monmouth today and leaving Wales on May 30th when it passes into England, heading for Chester.

During its entire Welsh journey South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Julian Kirby will operate as Regional Gold Commander, working in partnership with the four Welsh regional forces.

In the South Wales Police area alone it will visit almost all of our major towns and cities from Cardiff in the south, through Pontypridd, Merthyr and Rhondda and back down through the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, then heading west to Swansea and Neath.

Supt. Furnham added: "Policing the Torch Relay and the Olympic celebrations presents a fantastic opportunity for our officers and staff to work at the heart of and share this ‘once in a lifetime’ event across our communities in South Wales. We are working with all our partners to ensure that every Torchbearer and our local communities enjoy the event in safety.”

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