Travel advice for Wales v England

wales v england

With a sell-out crowd at Principality Stadium for Wales vs England in the 6 Nations on Saturday, there will be a full City Centre road closure in place from 3.00pm until 8.00pm to facilitate the event.

Given the number of people that will be coming to the stadium to watch the match, everyone is being advised to get into Cardiff and into the Principality Stadium as early as possible and if you bring a bag, expect to be searched. Rugby supporters with tickets to gates 6 and 7 are being advised of a new barrier system in place which is being trialled to improve flow inside the venue.

South Wales Police has recently announced that there will be an increase in policing around the Principality Stadium and transport hubs during the 6 Nations – which isn’t in response to any specific security threat but the current global climate.

All the times for the road closures given below are estimates and live updates will be given via @cardiffcouncil before and after the match.

Information from each of the public transport providers is included in this briefing.

Arriva Trains Wales is advising all customers that the train network will be very busy. Advice has been given by the travel operator to plan journeys three hours in advance of kick off and after the game, look at the post match queuing system at Cardiff Central – http://bit.ly/2kKachZ – so you know how to get home. Train services will be limited from Cardiff Central after 9.30pm.

Full City Centre road closure from 3.00pm until 8.00pm:

  • Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
  • Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
  • Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents & traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
  • Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents & traders will be permitted.)
  • Saunders Road from the junction with St Mary Street
  • Customhouse Street throughout its length
  • Penarth Road from the junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the back of the Cardiff Central Train station.
  • The following roads will be closed in their entirety: – Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
  • Sophia Gardens is available for event day parking and spaces will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Access to the Civic centre will be controlled, with access allowed only for match-day parking, loading and access to private car parks. The roads affected include, King Edward V11 Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.

The Authorities are advising that if there are any safety concerns relating to the queuing system at Cardiff Central Train Station, then Wood Street, Westgate Street, Park Street, Havelock Street, St Mary Street, Penarth Road, Saunders Road and Customhouse Street will remain closed until these issues are resolved.

Can you cycle or walk?

Those that live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh Capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes. We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents that currently do not cycle would like to do so. When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or big events.

 

Trains

Queen Street Station will close at 6.15 pm and there will be limited services from Cardiff Central after 9.30pm. All customers are being advised to buy a ticket (return if needed) from the first available ticket dispenser/office or from the Arriva Trains Wales Ticket app before you board the train. Revenue Protection Teams will be operating during this event. As with all large events in Cardiff, all customers are advised to plan ahead – https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/events/

Event Park & Ride – Cardiff City Stadium

The Event Park & Ride for Wales vs England is at Cardiff City Stadium.

Cost – £10 payable on the day in cash only or £8 if you pre-book through – https://www.parkjockey.com/homes/event

You can access the park & ride facility by exiting the M4 from Junction 33.

Event-Day parking

Event-day parking will be available at Sophia Gardens and will cost £15 in cash on the day. No pre-booking is available.

The car park opens at 8.00pm and will close at 12 Midnight. To get to Sophia Gardens exit the M4 via junction 32.

Car parking is also available in the Civic Centre. The cost is £15 payable in cash on the day or £12 if you pre-book through – https://www.parkjockey.com/homes/event

Coach parking

Coach parking is available in the Civic Centre and costs £20 per coach, payable in cash on the day. No pre-booking is available.

Buses

Buses will be diverted out of the central city centre bus stops. Bus displaced from stops within the closure will relocate to either Churchill Way for the East. Greyfriars Road for the North or Tudor Street for the West. Please visit the various bus operators for changes to their services:

For Cardiff Bus services, please visit – www.cardiffbus.co.uk

For New Adventure Travel Services, please visit – https://www.natgroup.co.uk/

For Stagecoach Services, please visit – www.stagecoachbus.com

Shopping Parking Shoppers are advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall.

Or city centre car parks are also available:

North Road Car Parks

St David’s Shopping Centre

John Lewis

Capitol Shopping Centre

NCP – Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road

National Express – National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.

Taxis St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will be closed from 3.00pm and will re-open from 8.30pm.

Mill Lane Taxi Rank will not affected and open throughout the day and night.