Tayside Police already planning for 2014 Ryder Cup
Tayside Police are forging ahead with preparations to ensure the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles is the best ever.
Gleneagles is the next European venue to host the showdown with the United States.
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 12.10.10
- Published online : 12.10.10 @ 04.37pm
Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson said groundwork is well in hand, with 180,000 spectators expected at the tournament which is being held in Scotland for the first time in more than 40 years.
Ms Wilson, who was at Celtic Manor to observe operations there last week, said, "I've been a great believer in the earlier you plan for something, the better the planning is. If you leave everything to the last minute it ends up getting cobbled together.
"While the police and our partners are very good at putting things together at the last minute if we have to in an emergency, with something like this, the longer you can plan it, the better it is.
"We want to make it the best Ryder Cup there's ever been."
Ms Wilson said the reason for the Wales visit was to make sure they put on the best possible event to attract tourism to Scotland, to make it a positive experience for the community and visitors.
She said, "We were particularly looking at how we cause the least disruption to the community, how we can manage the traffic flow for people coming in and out with the least delay.
"We are also looking at security of the site and security of the players, because ultimately they attract adverse attention from various factions, and, most importantly, we're looking at how we work in partnership with the event and everybody involved."
Ms Wilson said there would be a site visit at Gleneagles with organisers to discuss the layout, such as where the stands and pavilions and tents are situated.
"Celtic Manor was particularly well sited and there were fantastic views for everybody," she said.
"I was very impressed with the set-up down there and it's just making sure that we do equally well — and, in fact, even better where we can."
Tayside Police will now put together a framework and a timeline for the 2014 event.
First Minister Alex Salmond wants the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles to be staged in September in the hope of avoiding the bad weather that blighted the Welsh event last weekend.
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