How is this going to affect you? We have heard of roads closing meaning people in Newport having to cancel hospital appointments, wedding being canceled, and worries over getting to work. This is the info we have.

On 4 to 5 September 2014, Wales will host the largest gathering of international leaders ever to take place in Britain as the UK hosts the NATO summit. President Obama, Chancellor Merkel, and President Hollande are expected to attend along with leaders and senior ministers from around 60 other countries.

The summit comes as NATO draws down from its longest ever mission in Afghanistan and against a backdrop of instability in Ukraine. It is an opportunity to ensure that NATO continues to be at the forefront of building stability in an unpredictable world.

This will be the first NATO Summit since Chicago in 2012, and the first NATO summit in the United Kingdom since Margaret Thatcher welcomed NATO leaders to London in 1990.

During working sessions at the Celtic Manor and more informal events in Cardiff, world leaders will look to address issues which threaten NATO countries’ national security, from fragile states to piracy, from terrorism to cyber-attacks.

As a strong player in NATO over the last 65 years, the UK continues to provide forces for NATO operations around the world today. Beyond Afghanistan, there are British service personnel serving in the Baltic Air Police mission and on counter-piracy operations.

Bringing the summit to Wales is an opportunity to shine the global spotlight on this corner of the United Kingdom, highlighting its strong commercial sector - from manufacturing to innovation, life sciences to cyber, and its academic excellence. And showcasing the tremendous potential in Wales for investment and business, tourism and study.

Announcing that Wales would host the NATO Summit 2014, the Prime Minister said:

It’s a great moment for Wales to advertise its modern and economically brilliant face to the world. We are going to have up to 60 world leaders coming to Wales for this vitally important NATO conference, so I think it’s a very good moment for Wales to put its best foot forward.

We had the G8 in Northern Ireland, we had the Olympics in London, we’ve got the Commonwealth Games in Scotland - it is Wales’ turn for one of these big events, a great showcase for Wales and a great opportunity and I’m really pleased that we are going to be doing that.

This September over 60 world leaders will be coming to Wales to attend the NATO Summit at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. A series of associated events will also take place in Cardiff.

In preparation for the summit, a great deal of planning is happening to ensure the event is safe and that any potential disruption for the local community is minimised.

This will be one of the largest security operations ever undertaken in the UK with extra police officers and staff from all over the country arriving in the area to help police the event.

Policing

Normal policing will be maintained and Neighborhood Officers will continue their daily duties, patrolling the area protecting, and reassuring communities. You can expect to see more police officers and activity in your area providing security around the time of the summit.

NATO summits have previously provided a focus for protestors and the Police Service respects the right for peaceful protest.

Travel

Rest assured we are working with our partners on plans to minimise disruption as much as possible. It is anticipated that any impact will be focused around the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, the City Centre of Cardiff, and the roads in between, particularly the M4. Significant disruption should be limited to particular ‘pinch points’ during the two days, as delegations arrive and depart the Celtic Manor Resort. Rush-hour on Thursday evening 4th September and Friday morning 5th September are likely to be the most affected times.

At this stage it is not anticipated that the M4 will be closed at any point. Even at this early stage, motorists are advised to plan ahead and consider their travel arrangements carefully during the summit period.

Latest traffic information can be found at Traffic Wales.

This leaflet contains information on local road and footpath closures - Gwent Police: Advance notice of road and footpath closures (PDF, 3.74MB, 2 pages)

Public transport

The use of public transport is advisable, especially for local journeys during these times.

Local services

We will be working hard to ensure any disruption to local services and impact on local communities and businesses is minimised.

Local councils for Newport and Cardiff have written to school governors advising them on the implications of the NATO Summit. It will be for individual schools to decide whether they should close, although we would expect the majority to be able to remain open.

For updates on local services visit the websites of Cardiff Council and Newport Council.

Emergency Services

The NHS is making contingency plans to deal with any increase in demand over this period, while protecting services for people of the area.

All emergency services will continue to operate throughout the summit. Call 101 for non-emergencies and always call 999 in the event of an emergency. For further information visit the websites of South Wales Police and Gwent Police.