By Paul Reoch

ORGANISERS OF T in the Park are confident that the music festival will run smoothly following criticisms last year.

Revellers will today arrive at the camp-site at Balado in Kinross-shire prior to a string of top bands performing from tomorrow to Sunday.

Around 80,000 are expected to descend each day when top acts will include The Fratellis, Rage Against the Machine, Amy Winehouse and REM.

The proceedings got off to the worst possible start last year when traffic queues stretched over 12 miles long, while there were also delays for motorists on the A90 Dundee to Perth road and tailbacks on the A977 Kinross to Kincardine road.

Problems became exacerbated when torrential rain led to a number of car parks being off limits.

But both DF Concerts, who run T in the Park, and Tayside Police feel they have looked at all possible scenarios and are confident the same miseries will not ensue for those involved.

Event manager at T in the Park and head of events at DF Concerts Colin Rodger (36) told The Courier last night, “The whole culture had to change after the terrorist attack in Glasgow so more police checks had to take place.

“The situation last year was unique but we have a new contingency plan in effect so that if there is a problem we can identify it. I’m confident our traffic management plan will prove a success.”

Mr Rodger added, “We have worked on it with Tayside Police. We asked those travelling by car to book their passes in advance. And there is a better spread of car parks.

“I’m sure this will be a brilliant event—the best we’ve ever had.”

Head of DF concerts Geoff Ellis said, “There were extenuating circumstances that caused the traffic problems last year.

“However they could arise again so we have spent money on promoting new roads going into the car parks.

“We’re also encouraging more people to travel by bus and the road policing is being really stepped up.

“Having 10,000 people arrive on Thursday is a big chunk of traffic that will be off the road on the Friday.”

Inspector Ken Brown, head of road policing at western division in Perth, has been involved in co-ordinating the traffic management plan with DF Concerts, and believes all possible contingencies have been looked at.

“We have had a table-top plan, which was excellent as it’s not just Perth and Kinross that will be affected.

“It’s a thoroughfare for lots of people who will be trying to go about their normal, daily business and that’s a key point for us.

“We have a contingency plan to move traffic on the M90. Basically we have followed a lot of scenarios so that if we are faced with a problem we can resolve it.

“Travelling by shuttle bus is the best way to go to T in the Park. Buses get the priority in and out of the venue.”

Chief superintendent Matt Hamilton, who is in charge of the overall policing operation, had some advice for festival-goers.

“Despite the large numbers of people that descend on Balado each year, the event is welcomed by Tayside Police and the local communities.

“This year the festival is going to be the biggest and best attended, and will provide an excellent opportunity for Tayside Police to demonstrate how well we can police such a high profile event.

“The event has grown massively in size since 1997. This year will see 80,000 people attend the festival each day.

“The camp-site will also see 60,000 pitch their tents looking forward to a weekend of fun.

“T in the Park is now a recognised feature of the Scottish summer. Revellers at the event in previous years have enjoyed a carnival atmosphere with by far the vast majority behaving themselves and the event passing without any major incidents.

“If you are planning on coming along as a day visitor or as a camper, please come prepared for all eventualities and weather conditions.

“This is not the place to wear summer sandals if the weather turns nasty.

“Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the specific weather conditions. Make sure you pack a waterproof jacket, just in case.

“Similarly, if you are camping overnight, please make sure you have warm clothing as it can get very cold.

“Please do not bring valuables along with you, they can get lost or even worse stolen. Leave credit cards at home and look after your mobile phone.

“If you are travelling to the event by car, please remember which car park you have parked in.

“It’s amazing the number of people who are so excited about getting into the arena that they forget where they have parked, or they didn’t check in the first place.

“It goes without saying that you should not leave animals or young children in cars unattended.

“Once you are inside the venue make sure you know where to meet up if you get separated from your friends and look out for each other during the festival.

“Let your parents or guardians know how you are getting to and from the festival and at what time you will return home afterwards.

“If you are taking any kind of medication, make sure you bring it with you and have a note of what it is just in case you lose it.

“Once again, Tayside Police will be adopting a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drugs. Drugs amnesty bins will be placed at the entrance to the camp sites.

“Those attending T in the Park can dispose of any illegal substances in these bins before they enter the camp-site without risk of exclusion or prosecution. However once inside the venue, drugs will not be tolerated and anyone caught dealing or carrying drugs will be arrested.

“We will have plain clothes police officers and specialist drugs dogs operating at T in the Park.”