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Council confirm roads will close around St James Park before and after matches

As expected, Newcastle City Council have now confirmed that roads will close around St James Park before and after Newcastle United games.

A press release on Friday morning states that as well as road closures, barriers will also be used to help stop traffic using certain roads around the stadium.

The closures will only take place for around 20 minutes before and after games, allowing the vast majority of people to leave the area after the final whistle, before the roads open once again.

It is a move that is not before time as it has never made sense to allow traffic on roads immediately outside St James Park, especially after the final whistle when fifty thousand people are exiting together.

The recent terrorist attacks have been the prime mover in the decision, with the Newcastle City Council move aimed at minimising the chances of vehicles being used as weapons to drive into large crowds of people.

The friendly against Hellas Verona on Sunday 6 August will be the first time the new arrangements will be in place.

Press release:

‘New measures, like barriers and road closures that could stop vehicles entering the area outside of St James’ Park, are being brought in ahead of the first home game of the season.

It’s hoped the combination of vehicles and barriers at several key points on match-days could reduce the threat of vehicles entering areas with large crowds of supporters.

Although the terror threat nationally is currently severe meaning an attack is highly likely, police stress they have no intelligence to suggest that St James’ Park is being targeted for an attack.

But with vehicles used as weapons to drive into crowds in Nice, Berlin, Stockholm and more recently in London, the police and Newcastle City Council in partnership with the Fans Forum and the club have decided to protect the 52,000 supporters who regularly flock to St James Park.

The decision to tighten security was taken following national events advice from the police National Counter Terrorism Unit and approaches from the Fans Forum.

Cllr Nick Kemp, Chair of the community safety partnership, Safe Newcastle, said:

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly but with the support of the Fan’s Forum and the club we feel this is the right thing to do.

“We have seen the death and destruction caused by terrorists who use vehicles as weapons by driving them into crowded places.

“While there is no intelligence to suggest an attack is being planned in Newcastle, we have a duty and responsibility to do all that we can to protect the public, and this is what we will do.”

The council and the police say road closures will be kept to a minimum and will not hinder those travelling to the match on foot.

The barriers will be at several locations and only closed approximately 20 mins before and after final whistle reflecting the area of greatest concern:

* junction of Strawberry Place & Leazes Park Road

* junction of Strawberry Place & Barrack Road

* junction of Strawberry Place & St James Street

* Strawberry Lane

In addition Leazes Terrace, behind the East Stand where long queues form, will also be closed one hour before kick-off and until 20 minutes after the final whistle to allow crowds to disperse.

Closures will be flexible to allow blue light vehicles access in an emergency.

The measures will be tested for the first time on Sunday, August 6th, when Newcastle entertain Verona in a friendly.

All being well, they will be put in place for all 19 home games, starting on Sunday, August 13th, against Spurs.’