Schools to close for Radio 1's Big Weekend as preparations begins

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BBC's Radio 1 Big Weekend will be taking place at Sefton Park with road closures in place as preparations begin for the festival

A number of schools will close as BBC's Radio 1's Big Weekend arrives in Liverpool, in a decision which one high school said was "out of our control".

St Hilda's Church of England High School, which is located near Sefton Park where the festival will take place, will be closed on 23 May to all pupils apart from Year 11 students who are sitting a GCSE English paper.

Meanwhile, Belvedere Academy and Bellerive Catholic College, also nearby, will be closed for inset days.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said the local authority had worked closely with schools, residents and businesses to minimise any disruption.

Councillor Liam Robinson said disruption would be kept to a minimum

About 100,000 gig-goers will head to Sefton Park for the three-day event which begins on Friday 23 May.

But, some parents have expressed concerns about the impact on school pupils sitting exams in the area on 23 May.

In a letter to parents seen by BBC News, St Hilda's Church of England High School admitted the situation "was not ideal" but stressed it was "out of our control".

It said other year groups would be allocated work through an online learning platform.

With it being the biggest ticketed event ever to be held in the park, nearby residents have also been warned to expect road closures and public access to some areas being blocked by high fences.

Some residents have complained that fencing has been erected too early

Council leader Liam Robinson thanked local people for their patience.

"It's a huge event for the city on a huge weekend," he said, "we've got Liverpool's [Premier League title] parade and the Queen Anne visiting the River Mersey.

"This is something we've worked closely with the BBC on – how we rig up the set in the park, and how we take it down."

The Labour politician said while part of the park had been cordoned off, 75% of it was "untouched so residents can still use [it] in the way they normally would".

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Kemp raised concerns and compared the tall perimeter fence to something once deployed at US maximum security prison Alcatraz.

"At what should be the most beautiful time for a park in the spring, hoardings have been put in place around the perimeter which are totally destroying the character and ethos of our park," Kemp added.

He called for a full report to examine traffic levels, parking issues, air and sound pollution, and other nuisances caused to residents.

Park users Margaret and Phil said the high-profile event was "great for the city"

Other local people were more positive about the event, though.

Park users Phil and Margaret said that while the disruption was an inconvenience, "it is only for a few days" and "if it brings money to the city it's good".

Another local resident, who did not want to be named, said the Big Weekend was a "great idea" and "a massive event for the city in the perfect location".

Robinson said it was "another great opportunity for our city to be on the national and international stage so we have to get that balance right".

He continued: "One of the great joys of the city is the wonderful parks we have got and that's why when one of the big national institutions like the BBC want to come along and use one of those parks, we don't want to turn that down

"It's a great event for many people in the city who will be attending."

Sam Fender, Tom Grennan and Lola Young are among the acts performing over the three days.

Of the general admission tickets made available, 90% have been restricted to applicants living in the Liverpool City Region.

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