On Saturday 21 May 2022 and Sunday 22 May 2022, ‘Prep the Pool’ will be taking place at Sandwell Aquatics Centre. This will be the first major event to take place in the new venue, which will host this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving programme.
To support the event and test some elements of the local area traffic and parking plan proposed for the Games, there will be temporary changes to the way vehicles can travel and park around Sandwell Aquatics Centre on the 21 and 22 May 2022.
Details of the Event
On Saturday 21 May 2022, we will be welcoming 200 athletes and 3,000 spectators to take part in our ‘Prep the Pool’ test event. The event will be formed of competing swimming and para swimming athletes who are part of the Swim England Talent Team and spectated upon by their friends, family and residents of the local area. An England Talent Diving Camp will simultaneously take place during the Prep the Pool event. On Saturday 21 May divers will train in the morning only. This is an opportunity for Birmingham 2022 to ensure we are ready to deliver the Games by testing the venue at a reduced capacity and allow our teams to get up to speed ensuring we deliver a safe and successful Games later this summer.
On Sunday 22 May we will be hosting a closed training session for over 300 swimming and para swimming athletes and divers to allow them to experience what a competition pool feels like and experience the deepest dive pool in the region! While this means we will not be using the spectator operation based on Manor Road, we will still have a bus operation transporting these 300 athletes to the venue on Londonderry Lane.
What does this mean for me?
There will be no onsite parking at the event and spectators will be able to take advantage of a park and ride site and public transport. Therefore, to protect access for residents and businesses during the event, ‘controlled parking’ and ‘permit access only’ restrictions will be in place. This means you will need a ‘permit’ to access and/or park on the roads highlighted on the map provided.
We do not want to stop you getting to or from where you need to go, so on the day of the event we ask you to bring the ‘permit’ enclosed with the letter you will have received, and show it to the stewards located at key junctions to access roads, or place in your windscreen when parking on street.
You should have been provided with 2 ‘permits’, if you have a requirement for more, then proof of address will also be accepted by the stewards.
Any delivery driver or service provider trying to pass a vehicle permit checkpoint will need to provide proof of manifest/order confirmation to the address they are travelling to, along with their personal company ID.
Residents who receive essential council services, such as assisted care, will continue to do. Suitable documentation and ID will need to be presented to travel past a checkpoint.
If you are expecting other visitors, please make them aware of the restrictions.
On Saturday 21 May the event will take place from 8AM – 7PM, with spectators arriving from 1PM onwards. Restrictions on Londonderry Lane will be in place between 8AM – 8PM, Manor Road between 12:30PM – 8PM and resident permit scheme will be in place between 11AM – 7:30PM.
On Sunday 22 May the event will take place from 9AM – 7PM, there will be no road restrictions, but there will be games vehicles on Londonderry Lane.
What else will be happening in the area?
To accommodate for shuttle bus services, there will be load zones on Londonderry Lane and Manor Road. This means that part of these roads will have limited access for residents and will be one way, see map for detail. If you are not a resident of Manor Road or Londonderry Lane then you will need to find an alternative route for your journey.
How is this different to Games time?
We are taking this opportunity to test elements of the transport plan which will be in place at Games time. While we are providing you a permit for this event due to timescales, you will need to apply for a Local Access and Parking Permit (LAPP) for the Games period. These permits will be issued by Sandwell Council and posted to you on receipt of application.
During the ‘Prep the Pool’ test event, residents’ parking will be protected by traffic marshals on the streets surrounding the venue in order to deter spectators from parking in areas which they should not. At Games Time a similar approach will be taken with the use of Local Access and Parking Permits (LAPPs) which will exempt residents from the restrictions in the vicinity of their residence and allow appropriate enforcement of the event day parking restrictions.
Advice and support for businesses
Please ensure that employees and visitors to your site are aware of the local restrictions in place and where possible please pre-book customers in and provide them with confirmation that they are visiting your site. This will enable them to pass through any checkpoints as smoothly as possible.
How can I find out more?
We would like to invite you to attend a public drop-in session on the 18 May 2022 from 4pm to 8pm at the Sons of Rest Building, West Smethwick Park, West Park Road, Smethwick, B67 7JJ.
