Residents will face G7 summit disruption
HIGH-RANKING police officers in charge of managing traffic for the G7 summit in June have warned of “a bit of delay and disruption” to residents close to the venue. They will need two forms of identification to get back to their homes.
Thousands of additional police officers are expected to arrive in Cornwall next month for the world leaders’ conference at Carbis Bay Hotel. They are being pulled in from other forces to support Devon and Cornwall Police for the event’s security.
As well as the extra police presence, private security firms are also taking up residence in and around St Ives and Carbis Bay.
Road closures, exclusion zones and diversions are expected, and this week the force has outlined which areas are being shut off to the public, or to nonresidents.
The force also said residents will need two forms of ID with a proof of address inside restricted areas around St Ives and in parts of Falmouth, where the G7 media centre will be.
Chief Inspector Dean O’Connor, who is in charge of routes and managing the roads during the summit, said the force is promising “flexibility” for residents.
Ch Insp O’Connor said anyone trying to access the direct vicinity of a G7 venue will need to produce two forms of ID on the spot, whether they are walking or driving.
“If you’re walking through St Ives Road, that’s fine,” he said, “but if you need to access the immediate area, that will be residents only.”
Asked what if residents forget their ID, or do not have any with a proof of address, Ch Insp O’Connor said: “Most people will be able to produce two forms of ID. If not, we will try to facilitate as best we can. Officers will be on the ground where people need to go.
“Bring the ID, which can be a digital copy on your phone. If you have nothing at all, of course it will take a bit longer to work out how to get you there to the right place.”
Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s licence, bank statement, council tax bill – or other similar documents which include a proof of address.
People found in a residents-only area with no ID, and no other reason for being there, will be moved on by officers, Ch Insp O’Connor explained. “If someone needs to attend an area and doesn’t have ID, they can call ahead and let us know,” he added.
He also confirmed that families of people inside an exclusion area will be allowed to visit, though it will need to be arranged with the police first. They will need to bring a form of ID – and the same goes for carers visiting people inside a restricted area.
Affected residents, Ch Insp O’Connor said, will be informed directly. He said residents will be free to leave their homes at any time, and will not be penned in, with one exception.
“There will be small moments of time when people’s driveways are directly on to a convoy,” he explained. “At those points, there will be no vehicular travel. If you decide to go out at that exact moment, to keep people safe, we’ll get you to wait just a few minutes.”
The restrictions will apply for residents and business workers inside exclusion zones at Carbis Bay, St Ives, Falmouth, and Cornwall Newquay Airport.