The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Drivers warned ahead of Little Mix concert
Road closures around Slessor Gardens will begin on Monday
Drivers have been told to show patience if they find they are “Going Nowhere” when pop superstars Little Mix perform in Dundee next week.
The girl group will perform on Thursday in the second of three open air concerts taking place in Slessor Gardens this year.
UB40 played a successful first concert there in May but as the event took place on a Saturday night, the effect on traffic was limited.
However Little Mix and Olly Murs, who will perform in July, are both playing on Thursday evenings.
The gates will open in late afternoon so rush hour traffic is likely to be badly affected by road closures surrounding the venue.
Although there will be diversions in place, drivers approaching the Tay Road Bridge along Riverside Drive will face a lengthy diversion around the back of the Wellgate.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said the delays and diversions may be frustrating for motorists but are a small price to pay for having acts like Little Mix and Olly Murs performing in Dundee.
He said: “Drivers should, if possible, find alternative routes because clearly there are going to be delays.
“For example, anyone trying to drive from my ward in the West End to Arbroath I would suggest taking the Kingsway rather than going through the city centre.
“It is about planning your journey – both in terms of the route chosen and time allowed.”
Mr Macpherson added: “As someone who was caught in traffic during the UB40 concert, I know the problems but it’s just something drivers need to be aware of.
“The bottom line is it is a very short period of disruption and I think everyone accepts the positives of these concerts far outweigh the negatives.”
Road closures will begin on Monday to allow the stage and arena to be constructed.
Earl Grey Place East and West, South Crichton Street and South Castle Street will close at 8am on Monday until 6pm on Saturday July 1.
More road closures will then be introduced on the day of the concert.
Dock Street, between South Union Street and Commercial Street, will close at 2pm and reopen at around midnight.
Thomson Avenue, from South Union Street to South Commercial Street, will be closed to eastbound traffic coming from Riverside Drive between 2.30pm and midnight on Thursday.
Traffic will be diverted around Marketgait to approach the Tay Road Bridge from the east.
Similar diversions were in place during the Christmas Light Night event last year.
Some drivers complained the diversion took more than 45 minutes to complete.
Castle Street will also be closed, from Exchange Street to Dock Street, from 4pm to midnight.
Bus stops in the city centre will be moved to Ward Road, Seagate, Seagate Bus Station and Commercial Street during the concert.
Pick-up and drop-off points are also being created on parts of Crichton Street, Exchange Street and Castle Street.
Police Scotland Tayside Division commander Chief Superintendent Paul Anderson has said armed police may be deployed as part of security in the wake of the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester last month.