TAYSIDE Police gave an assurance that it had no intention of closing roads in south Perthshire or the railway line when world leaders descend on Gleneagles Hotel for the G8 summit next July.

Speaking to Tayside Police board, Chief Superintendent Brian Powrie said the only roads which would be closed for the summit from July 6-8 would be in the immediate vicinity of the five-star hotel and resort, although he admitted that security plans may have to change according to world events between now and the G8 summit.

While the summit itself is being organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Tayside Police is in charge of security around the Gleneagles Hotel, where the world leaders are expected to arrive by helicopter on July 6 – possibly from Edinburgh Airport – and stay for 48 hours. There is also likely to be visits from other VIPs and « significant players on the world scene » to discuss issues such as human rights and global warming, said CS Powrie.

« I cannot go into precise details but the thrust of security operations will be around the hotel and its extensive grounds, » he said.

From July 2 there would be a « search and seal » operation at the hotel complex in preparation for the delegates' arrival on July 6. The huge army of support staff would probably be accommodated at hotels in the central belt and bussed in, while shuttle busses will transfer the expected 2000-3000 journalists from their hotels in mainly Glasgow and Edinburgh to a media centre being established at the hotel's equestrian centre.

CS Powrie explained that Tayside Police was working closely with other Scottish forces plus London's Metropolitan Police, and Perth and Kinross Council, which was hoping to have a number of events complementing the themes of the summit.

The police were also working « very, very closely » with the « responsible » groups of protestors, the police board was told.

CS Powrie explained that a great deal had been learned from this year's G8 summit at Sea Island in the USA, and there were « significant differences » in policing to the G8 of 2001 in Genoa which was marked by violent protest.

« We have to keep a calm head on things, » CS Powrie told the police board.