Welsh farmers gear up for mass protest in Cardiff
Thousands of farmers and their families are making plans to stage a mass peaceful protest against Welsh government policies which threaten their livelihoods.
Organisers say between 10,000 and 15,000 people could descend on the Senedd, the Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff Bay, from 12.30pm on Wednesday 28 February.
Numbers may exceed 15,000 if the wider rural community and ancillary farming businesses show their support, as has happened in other recent protests across Wales.
South Wales Police is aware of a planned protest being held in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday, February 28.
The protest, which is scheduled to begin at 12.30pm, is expected to attract large numbers and may also involve slow-moving traffic on routes to Cardiff Bay and across the wider South Wales road network.
The extent of any delays to other road users is currently unclear, but as a force, we are monitoring this situation closely.
A policing operation will be in effect for the duration of the protest and we will be proactive in minimising disruption to the public wherever possible. There are no planned road closures but there will be controlled access to some roads around the Senedd.
Superintendent Esyr Jones said: “South Wales Police respects the right to peaceful protest and we are in discussions with the organisers to ensure that the protest takes place safely, lawfully with minimum disruption to the wider public.
“While there is an agreement to facilitate protest activity outside the Senedd, I would urge protestors not to bring tractors or other agricultural vehicles to the protest. There are concerns that they pose a risk to the safety of other road users and restrict the movement of emergency services in a busy city environment.
“We will monitor the situation across the day and motorists should check for any disruption on the road network and plan their journeys accordingly. We will advise the public of any delays or disruption throughout the course of the day.”
