Filming for the new series of Doctor Who kicked off in Cardiff today on a quiet residential street.
Residents were notified by the BBC about the plan to film on Howard Gardens, Adamsdown, two days ago. The letter said: “Our vehicles and crew will arrive from approximately 14:00 and we anticipate parking our essential vehicles in the pay and display bays on Howard Place. In order to secure these spaces we will have to cone off the space from 06:00.”
Louis Frayne, who works at Nomad Backpackers hostel on Howard Gardens, said: “I got the letter about two days ago.
“I’m not a Doctor Who fan unfortunately, but I know a lot of people have come to see the museum down the bay.”
Asked whether the filming had affected trade, Mr Frayne replied: “Probably not to be honest. A lot of people who stay here get the train or megabus.”
Sean Jones, a construction worker who was working in a house on Howard Gardens, said: “We think it is going to be a motorbike chase. They will come up the street and that is it I think.”
A woman who works for the council at the Adamsdown play centre, and wished to remain anonymous, said: “I think it’s great.”
“I’m not a Doctor Who fan as such, but I appreciate it I guess. We have heard they do lots of filming in Cardiff, especially in Grangetown.”
Becky Jones is a landlord who owns a house in Howard Gardens, and she was less welcoming of the filming.
“We are used to Doctor Who because I live down the Bay. It gets on my nerves the amount they film it. They block off the roads and bridges all the time.
“These streets haven’t been swept since summer, until yesterday. I know because I have called the council many times and they haven’t done anything about it, until yesterday.”