Merseyside Police have issued advice for people in Liverpool over the Champions League final weekend.
Liverpool face Real Madrid in the final in Paris on Saturday (May 28) night, as Jurgen Klopp's side hope to win their third trophy of the season. The game will be screened at venues across Merseyside and regardless of the result, the Liverpool squad will be paraded through the streets of the city on Sunday (May 29).
Expecting many people to be out and about, there will be extra police presence in the city over the weekend. Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: "We know this weekend will be a very busy time for our region’s pubs, clubs and bars and we want people to come into our city and enjoy themselves.
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"We are expecting large numbers of people to come into the city centre to watch the Champions League final at various venues and our message is - take some simple steps; keep your bags fastened and phones hidden, drink responsibly and plan your journey home in advance.
“It’s an evening kick off so make sure you pace yourself and stay with your friends. Make it a night to remember, not a night to forget."
Sunday's parade, which has been organised by Culture Liverpool, is due to start at 4pm. It will follow a nine mile route, starting at Allerton Maze and concluding at Blundell Street in Liverpool city centre.
Liverpool City Council's advice for fans at the parade
- If you live along, or close to the parade route, stay local and walk or cycle - this may give you the best vantage point and means you can avoid a busy transport network
- Decide which part of the route you want to wait at and arrive in plenty of time
- Be patient – it is impossible to predict how long it will take the team bus to travel along the route
- Due to the high volume of people expected the transport network will be very busy. Prepare to queue and factor this in
- Check bus and train times and availability and purchase travel tickets in advance
- If you must drive in and out of the area please make yourselves aware of which roads are affected
Chief Superintendent Davies said: “We expect a large number of people to gather along the parade route on Sunday. We will be supporting Liverpool City Council, who are organising the event, with the running and policing on the day to ensure the event goes ahead safely and disruption to regular road users is minimal.
“We would echo the city council’s request that people stay away from the city centre where possible to avoid overcrowding and added pressure on the transport network. There are a number of less busy locations from which to enjoy the day.
“It is worth noting that due to planned industrial action there will be no TransPennine Express trains running on Sunday. Northern Rail will also be running reduced services.
“James Street and Lime Street (lower level) will be closed all day and there will be crowd control queueing measures in place at Lime Street main station. For passengers travelling on Merseyrail services into Liverpool city centre, Northern line trains will call at Moorfields only and Wirral line trains will call at Liverpool Central only.
"The Strand will be closed northbound from Leeds Street / Old Hall Street junction to Blundell Street junction from 7am until it is safe to reopen. The southbound carriageway will be closed from approx 1pm subject to crowd safety requirements.
“While we know that everyone will want to have the best possible view of the parade we would urge people not to climb onto vantage points along the route as it is dangerous and you could harm yourself or others. Flares and fireworks can also cause serious injury to people and damage property and we would ask people not to bring them to the event but instead enjoy the animation along the route provided by the event organisers.
“Rolling road closures will be put in place to accommodate the parade and although we will work with Liverpool City Council to keep disruption to a minimum, some traffic disruption is inevitable and we would ask motorists to be patient, or avoid the area of parade route if possible.
“Please also be aware that the gathering of crowds along the route will cause disruption to the transport network, both in the period up to the start of the parade, during it and afterwards as services work to get back to normal. So, where possible, plan your journey home earlier and give yourself plenty of time.”
Merseyside Police's advice for visitors to the city
Take care of your valuables
- When carrying a bag or handbag, check it's closed with the opening facing towards your body, especially in crowded areas.
- Separate a little money from your handbag. That way, if your bag does get stolen, you can still get home.
- For men, keep your wallet or valuables out of sight if you can - use an inside buttoned pocket in your coat or jacket.
Cash Points & carrying money
- Take care at cash points. Think about when you need to withdraw cash
- Don't use cashpoints when you have been drinking
- If you see somebody suspicious hanging around the cashpoint, walk away and go back later
- Only take what you need, don't walk around with bundles of cash in your pockets
- Don't keep your PIN number with your cashcard
- Report any theft or loss immediately to your bank and the police
Travel (Sunday)
- The Strand will be closed northbound from Leeds Street/Old Hall Street junction to Blundell Street junction from 7am until it is safe to reopen
- The southbound carriageway will be closed from approx 1pm subject to crowd safety requirements
- Mersey Ferries are running a half hourly shuttle service from 1pm to 9pm between Woodside and Liverpool
- The Queensway (Birkenhead) tunnel will be temporarily closed to traffic heading to Liverpool between 12 noon and 9pm
- The Kingsway (Wallasey) tunnel will operate as normal but is expected to be very busy so allow more time for your journey
- There will be no TransPennine Express trains running on Sunday. Northern Rail will also be running reduced services.
- James Street and Lime Street (lower level) will be closed all day and there will be crowd control queueing measures in place at Lime Street main station.
- For passengers travelling on Merseyrail services into Liverpool city centre, Northern line trains will call at Moorfields only and Wirral line trains will call at Liverpool Central only.
- If you are using public transport, check direct with transport operators and www.merseytravel.gov.uk for detailed information on bus, rail, Mersey Ferries and Mersey Tunnels
Lost children
- Parents/ carers / guardians – plan ahead and take a photo of children BEFORE attending the parade. Should you be separated this will help identify them quickly. Stewards will be distributing wristbands – please write the number of a responsible adult on the wristband and attach it to a child / vulnerable person
- If you lose a child / children during the parade – please alert your nearest steward or member of Merseyside Police immediately
