Less than 24 hours before the opening ceremony of the San Mateo festivities, Logroño is setting out the security and access arrangements for the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. With large crowds expected, flows of people will be channelled and exits clearly separated to prevent crowding and enable a rapid response in an emergency.
According to the city, the plan will be activated in the morning and will be particularly visible about an hour before the opening ceremony. Those involved include Policía Local, Policía Nacional, Protección Civil, the fire service and the Red Cross. Aerial surveillance is also planned to assess the situation; according to Delegación del Gobierno en La Rioja drones and a helicopter will be deployed, with their images sent to the Integrated Police Operational Coordination Centre (Centro de Coordinación Operativa Policial Integrado). The measures were coordinated at a joint security meeting involving the authorities concerned.
Entrances and exits will be clearly signposted at busy points. The city lists the following streets as main entrances: Obispo Bustamante, Tricio, Avenida de Colón and Avenida de la Paz. To minimise the risk of bottlenecks and surging crowds, the section of Avenida de la Paz at the junction with Juan XXIII, near the Escuela Superior de Diseño (ESDIR) is designated as an exit only; access to the Plaza is not possible from there. Medical and rescue teams will be stationed close to the crowds, including in the Doce Ligero de Artillería area and on Avenida de la Paz.
The opening ceremony, which traditionally marks the official start of the festivities, is scheduled for Saturday 19 September at 12 noon. The city council urges people to use the signposted routes and follow instructions from emergency services. Temporary traffic restrictions around the town hall and adjoining streets will be introduced as circumstances require and signposted on site.
Background: The San Mateo festivities are a key event in Logroño’s calendar and attract many people from the region and beyond each year. The authorities say the enhanced measures are justified by the expected high attendance in the square and the need to keep emergency routes clear at all times. The organisers have not published estimates of attendance; they say the measures are intended to ensure the event runs in an orderly and safe manner.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).