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THE ECHO HAS BEEN ASKING FOR ANSWERS ABOUT HOW TRAFFIC WAS MANAGED BEFORE MONDAY'S GRIM SCENES ON WATER STREET 14:25, 29 May 2025Updated 10:55, 30 May 2025 Details have been released of
the traffic management plans that were in place in Liverpool during Monday's parade, where a car was driven into crowds of pedestrians. Questions are being asked about the measures
that were in place to protect the huge numbers of fans who came out and lined the 15km route to watch their Premier League-winning heroes on a bus tour of the city. It is now known that the
driver of a Ford Galaxy car that rammed into crowds in Castle Street around 6pm - injuring 79 people - had tailgated an ambulance as he travelled through a road block, allowing him to get on
to Water Street, which had been pedestrianised for the event. Exclusive footage obtained by the ECHO shows the route the driver of the car took to get to Water Street. He entered Dale
Street at its entrance near the Queensway Tunnels, driving along the busy route, which had large numbers of people walking along it. After questions from journalists, Merseyside Police has
now confirmed that the road blockage that was in place to stop vehicles getting on to Water Street was on Dale Street between its junctions with North John Street and Exchange Street East,
with traffic filtered down Exchange Street East. The ECHO had previously been told that the road block was closer to Rumford Street, which lies at the start of Water Street. Liverpool City
Council led on the road closures for the event. It is understood that planning for this year's parade started in February, with authorities insisting that the plans were put through
'rigorous testing' that met national standards. The budget for the parade was also increased significantly from previous parades to increase security, with costs met by Liverpool
FC. Those plans included 'hostile vehicle mitigation' measures, which were in place along the route, the ECHO was told. The plan included road closures and traffic diversions as
well as road closure signage, traffic cones, accredited traffic stewards, and traffic management vehicles, which were supported by police vehicles at key junctions. As a final barrier,
officials said the measures included a 3.5 tonne Flatbed truck, used to prevent access on Water Street from hostile vehicles. This was an identified ‘red route’ for emergency vehicle access,
the ECHO understands. Despite these explanations, concerns have been raised about aspects of the plan. Business owners told the ECHO they were shocked that the majority of Dale Street had
remained open with so many fans walking into town. Article continues below Others who attended the parade have reported worrying scenes as vehicles mixed with people on busy roads. Police
have confirmed that a total of 79 people were injured when the Ford Galaxy drove into crowds in Water Street. It has now been revealed that the youngest injury victim was just
nine-years-old. Seven people remain in hospital, but are said to be stable and recovering. A 53-year-old man is still being questioned by police on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous
driving and driving while unfit due to drugs.