Pretoria - Preparations are at an advanced stage for the FIFA Confederations Cup with a massive dry-run to be conducted on major Pretoria streets surrounding the Loftus stadium on Saturday.
"Spectators attending matches at Loftus including residents in the area have been advised to be aware that more stringent traffic, parking and access controls will be in place for the matches of 25 April, 2 May and 6 May 2009.
"Road closures will take effect five hours before the match, 2pm on Saturday 25 April and 2 May and 3pm on Wednesday 6 May," Tshwane Community Safety Department said.
Roads that will be closed include Lynnwood Road, Anderson and Murray from the east at Roper Street, Prospect and Burnett Streets in Hatfield at Festival Street, Burnett Street between Festival and Park Streets, Park Street between Festival and Becket Streets.
Arcadia Street between Hill and Farenden Streets and in Clydesdale all roads will be closed east of Walton Jameson like Bond, Villa, Brecher, Ivy, Mertyl, Ayton as well as Maple.
Jorissen Street will be closed between Walton Jameson and University Road
On North to South, Roper Street from north of College Street, University Road and Kirkness Street and Farenden Street from Park Street will also be closed.
"Traffic will be diverted via Pretorius, Schoeman and Charles/Walker Streets as well as Duncan Street and Leyds Street. Residents of Clydesdale with a 2009 permit will be able to access the suburb through Villa or Brecher Streets," the department explained.
With regards to parking, dedicated park and ride and park and walk facilities have been implemented.
"This feature of the upcoming FIFA tournaments entails spectators parking vehicles in a designated area and either walking or being shuttled to the stadium," the department said.
The parking and the shuttle service will be free of charge.
The park and walk facility will be operated from the Pretoria Technical High School on the intersection of Wessels Street and Park Street across from the Pretoria Art Museum in Arcadia.
According to the department, vehicles will access the facility via Wessels Street and park on the school's sports fields, which can accommodate around 460 vehicles, lighting and full time security guards will ensure the security of the vehicles.
"From the park and walk, spectators will use the new pedestrian walkway to get to the stadium and other spectators can access this walkway from either Lynnwood Road at Roper or Park Street," the department said.
The department said that just like other operations which have taken place thus far the department is hopeful that the exercise tomorrow and during other days will be successful.
A map of the traffic zones for the dry runs and for the Confederations Cup in June is attached and will be available on the Tshwane website at www.tshwane.gov.za.
