Final preparations underway as Elvis fans prepare to visit Porthcawl

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed which local roads will be temporarily closed to traffic in order help keep music fans safe during this year’s Porthcawl Elvis Festival.

An all-day road closure will be in place along the esplanade between Porthcawl Marina and the Seabank Hotel on both Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September.

While timings may vary slightly in order to ensure the smooth running of the event, the road closure is planned to last between 6am on Saturday through to midnight on Sunday.

Temporary diversions will be in place, and drivers are asked to pay close attention to signage when driving in and around the town over the festival weekend.

One-way systems will also be in place at Victoria Avenue, Doddridge Way, Park Avenue and Dock Street in order to minimise congestion on the diversion routes.

Meanwhile, while the majority of the Eastern Promenade will be closed to all vehicles other than taxis, coaches and mini-buses that are dropping Elvis fans off at the event, the Salt Lake car park will still be open and accessible. Additional signage will be provided to guide drivers to the car parks and dedicated drop-off zones.

Visitors are being advised that the Cymru Coaster open-top bus and the Porthcawl land train will not be in operation during the weekend. An Elvis-themed park run will take place on Saturday morning, and licensed charity bucket collections have also been agreed in the town centre and eastern promenade areas, and at the entrances to Coney Beach / Sandy Bay.

Additional waste containers will be placed across the seafront and in the busiest public areas, while the council’s cleaner streets team will also be working throughout the weekend to empty public waste bins.

St John’s Ambulance will operate a triage centre in Griffin Park, and the Wales Ambulance Service will have a cycle response unit operating in the area throughout the event.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, South Wales Police, Bridgend County Borough Council and Porthcawl Town Council are urging anyone attending the festival to remain cautious in relation to coronavirus, warning that people are still becoming seriously ill and dying from the disease.

Before attending, people are being urged to take a Lateral Flow Device test and to stay away if they test positive. Free LFD tests are available to order online or from participating pharmacies.

Anyone who develops a high temperature, a new continuous cough or who notices a change in their sense of smell or taste should get a coronavirus test as quickly as possible, and self-isolate immediately.

The Elvis Festival has become a very popular event and with last year’s festival having been unable to take place as a result of the pandemic lockdown, many will be looking forward to it. However, we urge people to enjoy the event safely and responsibly – coronavirus is still with us and there’s a real need for everyone to take measures to help keep themselves and others around safe and well. Keep your distance when you can, continue to wash your hands and wear a face mask, especially in crowded places and in shops, where in Wales, it is still a requirement.

Venues will not be operating in the same way as they have in the past due to coronavirus, and this year’s attendees should expect changes with risk assessments in place and Covid-safe measures such as those reducing capacity to ticket holders only and carrying out random temperature checks.

The festival is not run by any single organisation, but by a number of different venues who put on Elvis-themed events. In line with standard procedure for events of this scale, South Wales Police will have a full presence in the town, and council enforcement officers will also be on patrol ensuring licensed premises are adhering to all necessary procedures.

Council Leader Huw David

Local Policing Inspector from Bridgend and Porthcawl Mark Davies, said: “The Elvis Festival attracts tens of thousands of people to Porthcawl. Our officers will be there to ensure everything runs smoothly - our priority is to keep everyone safe and we’ll take whatever steps are necessary in order to do so. My message to everyone is to enjoy the occasion safely and responsibly.”