The permanent security barriers, as agreed by the Council, are due to be installed during the first half of next year. But until that time, and starting with the visit of Aston Villa to Molineux on Saturday, October 14th (kick off 5.30pm), a series of temporary road closures are to be introduced on a matchday.
These new measures follow months of consultation between members of the Safety Advisory Group which has oversight of safety on matchdays at Molineux, and includes representatives from the Club, the Council, emergency services and the Sports Ground Safety Authority.
The process of improving spectator safety began at the start of the season with the closure of several car parks at Molineux to allow pedestrians a safe passage from the stadium.
The new measures will feature road closures at several sites around Molineux as follows:
Waterloo Road
Will be closed from the roundabout leading to ASDA up to the traffic lights at Newhampton Road from 90 minutes before kick off, up until a period at the discretion of the Matchday Safety Officer at the end of the game. (expected to be between 15 and 30 minutes).
Molineux Street at the junction with Camp Street and Sir Hayward Way/Sir Jack Hayward Way opposite the Stan Cullis Car Park kiosk/Top of Whitmore Hill
Will be closed from one hour before kick off, up until a period at the discretion of the Matchday Safety Officer at the end of the game (expected to be between 15 and 30 minutes).
Car Parks
Supporters who use the Directors Car Park, Waterloo Road Car Parks will need to have parked their car in advance of 90 minutes before kick off.
Supporters who use the Steve Bull Car Park, Sir Jack Hayward Car Park, the Wanderer Car Park and University Car Park will need to have parked their car in advance of 60 minutes before kick off.
Supporters who use the Whitmore Hill Car Park will need to have parked their cars in advance of 30 minutes before kick off.
Supporters who use the Stan Cullis Park will be able to park up until kick off but are advised to arrive early.
All of the above car parks will remain closed at the discretion of the Matchday Safety Officer at the end of the game (expected to be between 15 and 30 minutes).
Redhill Street and Birch Street Car Parks remain unaffected by the new measures.
Drop Off Points
Spectators who used to be dropped off either down Waterloo Road or Molineux Street will now no longer be able to do so based on the time limits of the road closures.
Wolves Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple said: “The measures outlined relating to improving matchday safety have been discussed between ourselves and all the different key agencies for a considerable length of time.
“As outlined when making the initial announcement concerning plans for the new matchday measures, our prime motivation is to increase, and do our utmost, to ensure spectator safety.
“We want to make Molineux as safe as possible for fans to come and enjoy attending matches, and that has led to these road closures being introduced before and after all of our first team fixtures.
“We appreciate and understand that these measures will mean changes to the matchday routines of supporters who may have followed the same routine for a good number of years.
“But we would ask supporters for their patience and understanding of the reasoning behind changes, which are being implemented with the safety and welfare of every supporter in mind.
“With such change, supporters are likely to experience frustrations as we implement the new closures and safety measures. We will work hard to minimise those and make it as smooth a transition as it possibly can be.
“Hopefully in time supporters will become accustomed to their new routines and benefit from knowing that Molineux is an even safer place to come and enjoy their football and get behind the team.
“I would like to thank all supporters affected in advance for their understanding.”
There will be no exceptions to any of the above restrictions.
Wolves are producing a Frequently Asked Questions document which will be circulated and placed on the website over the coming days and well in advance of the Aston Villa fixture, when the new measures will be in place for the first time. Any relevant information will also be made available for visiting supporters at this stage. In addition, reminders will be continue to be communicated between now and the fixture on the 14th October.
