29/01/25
'Counter terrorism' warning for Aston Villa vs Celtic in Champions League
West Midlands Police have released a letter shared to local residents around Villa Park ahead of Aston Villa's match against Celtic on Wednesday night
Residents around the area of Villa Park have been told that a "counter terrorism strategy" will be in place for Aston Villa's Champions League clash with Celtic on Wednesday evening.
Unai Emery's side are hosting the Scottish champions in their final Champions League league phase clash as they target a victory which could secure them a place in the top eight of the table.
Ahead of the match, West Midlands Police released a picture of the letter which has been sent to locals which warns of an "elevated risk" on Wednesday, telling families of a raft of road closures and other measures in place for the game.
The letter reads as follows...
We are writing to inform you about changes to the road closure arrangements for the upcoming fixture against Celtic. These changes are part of our existing counter-terrorism strategy and have been carefully planned in consultation with governing bodies to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and residents.
Road Closure Details:
- Witton Lane: Witton Lane will have no vehicle movement permitted from 5:00PM. Local residents will still be able to exit via Yew Tree Road, along Manor Road, and out that way until 6:00PM. After 6:00PM, a hard closure will be in place due to the increased volume of away supporters attending the match.
- Trinity Road: Trinity Road will remain open for vehicle movement until 6:00PM. At this time, the road will be closed, and no further vehicle access will be permitted.
Access During the Fixture
Once the game has kicked off, residents who need to move will still be able to enter or exit via Manor Road as necessary, unless there is a safety issue requiring the cordons to remain in place.
Duration of Closures:
The road closures, including those on Witton Lane and Trinity Road, will remain in effect throughout the entirety of the fixture.
These measures have been put in place as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to deliver a safe event for all.
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