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Traffic jams, road blocks and police checkpoints tested Sydney's patience yesterday as tight security for the first day of President George W. Bush's visit to the Apec summit brought much of the city to a standstill.
Morning commuters were hit by extensive traffic delays as Bush travelled in an 18-vehicle motorcade from his hotel, the InterContinental, to nearby government offices, where he held his first meeting with Prime Minister John Howard.
Hundreds of bus commuters were delayed entering the central business district across the Harbour Bridge, as police road blocks and vehicle checks caused traffic chaos.
The afternoon rush hour was also affected, when the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, and a large entourage were whisked from Sydney Airport to their hotel on roads cleared of traffic.
There will be more delays today when Russian President Vladimir Putin flies in on his first visit to Australia, and Bush travels from his hotel to Darling Harbour for an official Apec event.
At a joint press conference with Howard, Bush apologised for the inconvenience he had caused, blaming it on the threat of violent protests. But that was scant consolation for many Sydneysiders, who have questioned the expense and inconvenience of hosting Apec and the stringent security which has turned the city into Fortress Sydney.
"Closing down the city just for George Bush is pathetic," said Helen Lopez, 27, as she sat in traffic in the city centre. "I work at the airport and when Bush flew in last night [Tuesday] people found it really hard to get home because of all the road closures."
Railway worker James Palmer, driving a van, said he had deliberately avoided the city centre. "It seems a bit outrageous causing all this hassle because of one man."
A solicitor who asked not to be named said his commute by bus had taken twice as long as normal. "And the drone of the helicopters makes me feel really tense. There's an authoritarian atmosphere around town."
But financial planner Stewart Ruppert, 42, said he believed the level of security, including the concrete and wire mesh wall snaking around the city centre, was appropriate.
"I feel comfortable that there are so many police around, and the fence looks pretty sturdy just in case any protesters try to get through it," the Canadian said.
Further congestion was caused by the first sizeable demonstration of the Apec summit, when around 300 students rallied noisily outside Central railway station.
Although police allowed the students to stage a march, their route came nowhere near the convention centre or government offices where Apec meetings are taking place.
The students, many in their teens, spoke out against Bush's visit and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Other Sydneysiders, however, have welcomed Apec and the presence of 21 world leaders. "It's a good way of showcasing Sydney and Australia," one bystander said. "Plus it means we get an extra public holiday on Friday."
