Cardiff Commuting NATO

bendertherobot

My God.

It's just as well I'm a cycle commuter. Even that is being tested to its limits.

Agent57

OK.

Context helps.

monkimark

I'm guessing the traffic is bad http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28843481

bendertherobot

Not just the traffic. We have a brilliant trail running through the parks. Ultimately you exit that to find your way around the centre. To cross North Road, the main road, to the Civic Centre you now have to pass through security barriers (currently unmanned). On the days leading up to the conference the main roads will be shut and unless your on a bike or foot it will be a nightmare. But it's even affecting cycling routes currently.

bendertherobot

Kieran_Burns

So... panniers only then?

muttley_109

Yep i'm glad I dont drive or get the bus. It must be a nightmare. I have found the lane closure good though as it gives me an entire lane to cycle in without cars.

dork_knight

Came down Cathedral Rd and pulled something in my back due to one of the potholes, tried to to get over to Westgate Street and thought WTF with the barriers and then they've also closed off part of the road by the Norweign Church which is a pain..... Not a good morning.

bendertherobot

Dork Knight wrote:

Came down Cathedral Rd and pulled something in my back due to one of the potholes, tried to to get over to Westgate Street and thought WTF with the barriers and then they've also closed off part of the road by the Norweign Church which is a pain..... Not a good morning.

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

Going to be interesting to see where Air Force One actually lands.

cjcp

bendertherobot wrote:

Dork Knight wrote:

Came down Cathedral Rd and pulled something in my back due to one of the potholes, tried to to get over to Westgate Street and thought WTF with the barriers and then they've also closed off part of the road by the Norweign Church which is a pain..... Not a good morning.

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

Going to be interesting to see where Air Force One actually lands.

I'm assuming they won't dare close Caroline St, otherwise there'll be civil unrest

bendertherobot

Obama and Dave are popping in there on the Thursday. Francois Hollande is heading round the corner to the "Private Shop"

dork_knight

Ah, the private shop;

It used to be a laugh on lunch break some 18/19 years ago, sitting on mill lane having a pint and watching people acting shifty trying to make their way unnoticed into the shop... I guess it's still pretty much the same these days.

IanREmery

bendertherobot wrote:

Dork Knight wrote:

Came down Cathedral Rd and pulled something in my back due to one of the potholes, tried to to get over to Westgate Street and thought WTF with the barriers and then they've also closed off part of the road by the Norweign Church which is a pain..... Not a good morning.

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

Going to be interesting to see where Air Force One actually lands.

According to the BBC "a smaller operation will be in place in Cardiff Bay where seven Nato war vessels will be present".

Agree on it being a PITA. We're in Greyfriars Road and considering requesting WFH for the main two days.

bendertherobot

If there are 7 warships then I think they can justify a smaller operation

I work for one of the larger employers. They assure us that we are very much open.

I'm quite looking forward to coming in on the bike and having a smug look of satisfaction.

dork_knight

They have blocked off the pedestrian crossing at westgate street (PITA) and heavy machinery was being dropped off down the bay this morning.

rolf_f

bendertherobot wrote:

Dork Knight wrote:

Came down Cathedral Rd and pulled something in my back due to one of the potholes, tried to to get over to Westgate Street and thought WTF with the barriers and then they've also closed off part of the road by the Norweign Church which is a pain..... Not a good morning.

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

Hotels all booked up?

IanREmery

Is it just me or is the town centre of Cardiff a bit quiet today? Queen St and the Hayes aren't too bad but St Mary's Street is like a funeral home.

Those big yellow phallus-like security points all over the place don't help either. Please can we have our beautiful vibrant city back?

bendertherobot

Yep. The chaos has pretty much subsided. Everyone's staying away now instead. The yellow things are interesting. Looks like you will be searched if you dare to be in the vicinity of the Rummer Tavern on the 4th.

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

I love the no nonsense approach... couldn't find a room at the Marriott?

bendertherobot

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Yes. Officially there's nothing going on "down the bay." But, unofficially, I hear that Obama may be sleeping on a warship, which may explain why that area is being locked down.

I love the no nonsense approach... couldn't find a room at the Marriott?

Cardiff nightlife can be rowdy and disruptive. But if you have quite a few massive cannons, anti aircraft guns, armed sailors and a brace of helicopters it should keep matters down a bit.

airbag

I would say "I hadn't noticed much".

But by god the amount of tossers tonight venting their frustration on any and all was unreal.

Coincidentally I've just got a large wad (of money).

Who's best to donate to? Previously I would contribute to the LCC but given I'm not in London at the mo there's not much point there...

bendertherobot

Worrapened?

pblakeney

I see that this event was covered on the BBC breakfast news this morning.

I had a right good chuckle when they reported that a steel fence was being used to protect the castle.

bendertherobot

One of our staff was just whingeing to another about how the walls of the Castle were 2000 years old and have stood up to attack much better than the metal fence outside.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that he was out by just under a couple of thousand years on the age of the walls which have never come under attack.

airbag

Anyone see where the Ospreys landed?

IanREmery

airbag wrote:

Anyone see where the Ospreys landed?

Landed in Bute Park (apparently, didn't see them though), took off and circled Cardiff centre before heading off in the rough direction of Newport I think.

weird things them, someone in our office said "I thought Dr Who filming had finished...".