MOSCOW, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - Security measures put in place two weeks before the NATO Summit to be held in Newport, South Wales, on September 4 and 5 have caused traffic delays in the area, BBC Wales reported Tuesday.
"Since the fence line started to be put up on the highway on Friday evening, a traffic plan was scheduled with signage to show drivers the diversion routes available,” a Cardiff Council spokesman was quoted as saying by the news network.
"To avoid congestion, we advise all those who usually travel by car into the city to consider public transport or use the park and ride facility at either Leckwith or Pentwyn,” the spokesman added.
A reported 12 miles of fencing will be put up in Cardiff and Newport, protecting routes leading to venues hosting the event such as Cardiff Castle. The fencing has already caused drivers’ travel times to double, sparking a flurry of complaints via Twitter.
Taxi drivers told BBC Wales that road closures are causing “absolute chaos” for regular drivers and expressed their discontent that the security measures were set up two weeks before the summit rather than two or three days before.
The Cardiff Council is recommending drivers use public transport to avoid the increased traffic as well as the alternative routes the council provided on maps.
"We've got it coming whether we like it or not. It's short-term pain for long-term gain," health councilor Graham Hinchey said, BBC Wales reported.
"We have got to try and make the best of having the summit,” he added.
Hinchey confirmed the event was being hosted and paid for by the UK government and that local authorities were not imposing the restrictions.
According the British government’s website, Prime Minister David Cameron said he is pleased to host the 2014 NATO Summit, dubbing NATO the cornerstone of the United Kingdom’s national security for more than 60 years. Margaret Thatcher hosted the last NATO Summit in the United Kingdom in 1990, at the end of the Cold War.
