Rush hour road closures add to travel chaos ahead of Newcastle …
Football fans have been warned to expect major travel disruption ahead of Newcastle’s[1] Champions League clash with PSG.
The Magpies first home match in Europe’s elite competition for two decades coincides with two major public transport strikes, while council officials have now confirmed plans to shut some of the city centre’s busiest roads at rush hour ahead of the game. On top of ongoing industrial action affecting bus and rail services, a large section of the city centre will be blocked to traffic at rush hour to allow for a march of away fans.
Several roads between the Bigg Market and St James’ Park will be closed off from approximately 5.15pm to 6.15pm on Wednesday, to allow for fans of the French champions to parade in unison to the stadium. Meanwhile, no Northern train services will run at all on Wednesday due to strikes by ASLEF union members.
LNER has advised that it will be running an extremely reduced train timetable – with no departures out of Newcastle after 6pm. Go North East bus services are also off this week due to a drivers’ strike, while Tyne and Wear Metro services are expected to be packed as a result.
Sunderland[2] also have a Championship home fixture against Watford on Wednesday evening, adding to the pressure on the region’s roads and remaining public transport services. Metro operator Nexus has advised people to avoid using bus or Metro services to or from Newcastle and and Sunderland city centres from late afternoon on Wednesday.
Confirming the road closure plans, the city council said: “We would advise anyone travelling into the city on Wednesday 4 October for the Champions League football match at St. James’ Park to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey. There will be limited public transport due to strike action by Go North East buses and we expect train operators and Metro services to be extremely busy.
“The Match Day Park and Ride Service that normally operates from the MetroCentre will also not be running due to the strike action. There will be road closures impacting Bigg Market, Market Street, Blackett Street, Gallowgate and Barrack Road (south bound) between approximately 5.15pm and 6.15pm.
“This is in addition to normal St James’ Park match day road closures on Strawberry Place, Terrace Place and Leazes Terrace. We have extended the opening times at five of our car parks (Eldon Gardens, Eldon Square, Garage at Helix, Manors and Spillers) until midnight to help cope with the additional expected traffic.”
The following roads will be closed for the parade between approximately 5.15pm to 6.15pm on Wednesday:
- Bigg Market – between Pudding Chare and Grainger Street;
- Grainger Street – between Bigg Market and Blackett Street;
- Blackett Street – between Grainger Street and Newgate Street;
- Gallowgate – between Newgate Street and St James’ Boulevard;
- Gallowgate southbound – between St James’ Boulevard and Strawberry Place;
- Barrack Road southbound – between Strawberry Place and entrance into St James’ Park.
Customer services director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “Public transport is going to be really busy tomorrow evening and roads are likely to be congested due to the impact of bus and rail company strikes. Because of this we are advising people to plan ahead and avoid travelling in and around the two football matches in Newcastle and Sunderland if they can.
“Where possible please avoid travel on bus and Metro services to and from the centres of Newcastle and Sunderland from late afternoon onwards. If you do need to travel then please allow plenty of time to get where you are going.
“We expect that the extra demand on Metro will mean that trains are going to be much busier than usual. Anyone heading to the games at St James’ Park or the Stadium of Light should plan their journey in advance and allow themselves plenty of time to get there.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police[3], urged fans to showcase the North East’s reputation as a friendly and welcoming part of the world. He added: “As ever, we will be working with our partners and there will be a proportionate policing operation in place. Our overriding priority is the safety of those attending, as well as everyone in the wider city centre.
“Our officers will be on hand to help keep any disruption to a minimum. Anyone with any concerns, or who sees anything suspicious, is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.”
References
- ^ Newcastle’s (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Sunderland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Northumbria Police (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)