Take That lorries move in at Villa Park with gear
Excitement was building today ahead of Take That's performance in Birmingham.
Excitement was building today ahead of Take That's performance in Birmingham.
About 100,000 fans from across the UK are expected to descend on Villa Park for the band's gigs on Monday and Tuesday.
Fencing has already been put around the ground and there are already a number of fast food vans inside.
People are expected to start queuing from as early as tomorrow night in a bid to get the best views for the unseated shows.
A total of 104 trucks carrying parts of the extravagant stage were set to arrive at the North Stand car park today.
A marquee in the car park will be providing round-the-clock food for the band and their support staff and a strict, residents-only parking scheme will be enforced on streets within a two kilometre radius around the stadium to prevent fans clogging up the streets by parking in front of homes.
Fifteen car parks in the surrounding area ranging from £5 to £10 per car will be open on the night, as well as Star City offering free parking.
Police spokesman Billy Corrigan said police were encouraging people to take advantage of the extra trains and buses being put on for the show.
Trains will run every few minutes until midnight, instead of finishing before 11.30pm, while additional bus services will run for up to an hour after the normal last bus time.
The last Metro from Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton will leave at 11.30, while the last one to stop at Wednesbury will leave at seven minutes after midnight. "Inevitably, when you have so many people arriving, all going to one location, it will be congested," said Mr Corrigan.
Road closures were in place from 8am today, with no vehicle access to Witton Lane from Witton Road to its junction with Trinity Road while stage equipment is driven in.
