Saturday, April 16, 2011

M1 closing due to FA Cup Semi-finals and London Marathon


A huge numbers of people heading to London for one of the largest weekends in the sporting chart could be affected by the limited shutting of the M1.
The motorway has been closed both ways between intersections one and four, between Brent Cross and Elstree, Hertfordshire, since Friday after a scrap-yard fire. The head is swarming two FA Cup semi-finals and the London Marathon. The Highways Agency said a conclusion on when to reopen the M1 would not be made before 1000 BST.
We've had engineers serving all night evaluating the arrangements, Jon Caldwell, from the Highways Agency, said. "The engineers will be providing us a detail on what the methods are and how harsh the destruction is. We're confident to obtain some of the tracks open either later today or tomorrow." The fire, which engaged some gas cylinders, broke out to Scratchwood Services at 0410 BST on Friday.
London Fire Brigade said almost 50 people residing in properties near the scrap-yard were abandoned as a safety measure while the cylinders were cooled and made safe. A Highways Agency spokeswoman said engineers had been given access to the location of the fire under the motorway and verifies now had to be continued on the seven-mile widen of road to make certain it had not been broken by the fire. Fans travelling to Wembley later for the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United were recommended to search a substitute path or means of travelling.
Aston Villa fans are also due to take a trip to London, to see their team's Premier League match at West Ham United later. And Chelsea supporters will be visiting from the capital to their team's game at West Bromwich Albion. On Sunday, along with the London Marathon, a large numbers of supporters are likely at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium for any more FA Cup semi-final engaging Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City.
Marathon sprinters have to collect their authorizations at Excel in east London by 1700 BST on Saturday. However, London's police and transport system heads have said they are prepare to handle with the thousands of additional people who make it to the capital. Officers have informed supporters about their attitude, especially in front of the Manchester derby. The FA said both of the North West clubs had sold their part of 33,000 tickets.
British Transport Police has prohibited alcohol on all trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Euston station during and after the game. BTP Supt Dave Roney said, during the day, we will have officers touring stations and on-board trains between Manchester and London.
"We are advising everybody who violates the line while travelling on the rail system will be dealt with by our officers." Advising letters have been mailed by police to 196 people with football prohibition orders counseling them to stay away. Virgin Trains has put on additional works between London and Manchester, which will be taken place at Euston railway station if the game reaches to further time.
In the meantime, Transport for London has promised to "maintain London running" in spite of troubles due to the marathon. At least 36,000 participants will participate in Sunday's marathon, with a largest numbers of people supposed to line the streets.
The marathon is also producing exceptional issues for both the transport system and the police, with road blockage and disturbances to bus, train and Tube services.
 The privileged women's and wheelchair races begin from Greenwich Park at 0900 BST, gone after by the elite men and all other participants from 0945 BST.

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