Riga considers disciplinary action over late waterfront closure notice

Riga City Council may impose disciplinary action after residents were informed late about the closure of 11 November Waterfront ahead of the capital’s 825th anniversary celebrations, LSM reported. The waterfront was closed several days before the event, causing traffic disruption and public criticism.

Large celebrations are planned in Riga on Saturday, with the main events expected at 11 November Waterfront, which has been closed since Tuesday. The waterfront is usually closed one day before events, but this year it was shut earlier because an especially large stage is being installed.

Residents were informed about the traffic restrictions only on Tuesday, the day the closure took effect. Riga City Council acknowledged that the information had not been issued in time.

Uģis Vidauskis, head of the Riga City Council’s Communications Department, said the department generally tries to inform residents and visitors in advance, but internal communication problems had affected the process this time.

“I do not want to go into details or make excuses. There was a combination of circumstances. It involved replacements and people who were not working in this field becoming involved, but that is not an excuse,” Vidauskis said, according to LSM. He added that the situation had been examined and that he had provided, and would continue to provide, explanations to the city council leadership.

“We must take responsibility. As head of the Communications Department, I also accept responsibility for this,” Vidauskis said.

The municipality has not ruled out disciplinary action over the incident. It also expressed hope that residents would be informed about traffic restrictions in good time in the future.

Residents criticised the late notice on social media and accused the city council leadership of failing to act properly. Architect Reinis Liepiņš called the municipality’s actions unacceptable and said construction workers had been unable to reach a restoration site on Anglikāņu Street in Old Riga because of the traffic restrictions. He questioned who would cover the resulting losses.

Riga is celebrating its 825th anniversary this year. The August programme includes concerts, performances and shows, ending with a motorsport event.