As Sunderland gets set to welcome tens of thousands of football fans, those attending the England game at the Stadium of Light tonight are being advised to plan their route in advance and leave additional time for their journey to and from the stadium.
A capacity crowd is expected and roads and public transport networks are expected to be extremely busy throughout the day and evening, both before and after the game. Roads immediately surrounding the stadium are closed to traffic and fans are advised to use city centre parking or the ‘Park and Ride’ facility just off the A1231.
Stadium turnstiles will be open from 5.45pm for the 7.45pm kick off and the Fan Zone is open from 3pm, featuring live entertainment, activities and food and bar outlets. Match-goers are strongly advised to arrive at the stadium as early as possible and ensure that they are inside well in advance of kick off. Comprehensive travel advice is available at www.safc.com/england.
TRAVELLING BY ROAD
Drivers advised to follow road signs rather than their sat-navs. The best routes into the city for motorists will be well signposted, with police and council traffic management officers on hand along the way to offer help and advice to drivers.
Motorists are also advised to give themselves plenty of time to get into the city for the 7.45pm kick off. There are roadworks on European Way in Pallion, and part of the A1231 is down to one lane in each direction because of construction work on the new Wear Crossing with delays expected in both areas.
The main messages for drivers are;
North: From the A19 and follow signs for A1231 Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Ride and use the Park & Ride service
Alternatively, from the A19 follow signs for A184 Sunderland (North), then either; Roker Seafront or City Centre and use car parks
South: From the A19 follow signs for A1018 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks
From the A1(M) follow signs for A690 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks
West: From the A183 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks
From the A690 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use City Centre Car Parks
From A1231 follow signs for Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Ride and use the Park & Ride service
Roads immediately surrounding the Stadium of Light will be closed to all traffic on the day. Access is by permit only and there is no parking or vehicle pick up or drop off areas on, or near to the site.
Vehicles from the south are advised to take the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop visitors off in the city centre, with the Stadium of Light just a five-minute walk away. Vehicles from the north and west are advised to use Sunderland Enterprise Park – accessible via the A1231 Wessington Way, which is also the event’s main Park and Ride site.
PARKING – there is no parking available on the stadium complex, with parking immediately around the Stadium of Light also extremely restricted. Residential streets in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light are also subject to Parking Permit restrictions.
There is ample parking available throughout the city, which is within walking distance of the stadium. Full details are available at www.sunderland.gov.uk/parking. Additional spaces are also available at the University of Sunderland, simply follow the signposts.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
METRO – Metro trains run regularly, with passengers advised to plan their journey in advance, leave extra time and check on-line for the latest updates at www.nexus.org.uk. There will be a Metro train every 15 minutes during the day between Newcastle and Sunderland rising to a train every five minutes after 4pm, with the high-frequency service continuing after the event to make sure large crowds can get away from the venue safely.
Extra Metro services will be running between Newcastle and Sunderland augmenting the normal service between 9.30pm and just after 11pm. The last train time to Newcastle from the Stadium of Light will leave as normal at 12am (midnight).
A special event Metro ticket is available in advance from all Metro ticket machines. This will save fans the hassle of having to queue at the machines on the day of the game.
All passengers going to the match should use St Peter’s station only, which is the nearest station to the stadium, before and after the match.
BUSES – Go North East is providing enhanced bus services around the Stadium of Light, including areas such as South Shields, both before and after the match. Full advice is on the travel information website www.nexus.org.uk and through North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
TRAINS – Sunderland is served by a mainline railway station. For National Rail Enquiries, call 0845 7484 950. Grand Central operate direct services to Sunderland city centre, 0844 811 0071.