Security and travel warnings for rugby fans

RUGBY fans travelling to Cardiff for tomorrow’s clash between Wales and Georgia are being warned of travel disruption amid fresh advice to arrive at the Principality Stadium early to go through enhanced security checks.

There will be no trains running from Bristol tomorrow, when more than 50,000 fans are expected to head to the Principality Stadium to see Wales play Georgia. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Buses will run direct from Bristol Temple Meads and from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central from 8am until 1pm.

Then after the final whistle, direct buses will run both to Bristol Temple Meads and to Bristol Parkway from outside Cardiff Central until 7.30pm.

Long-distance services between South Wales and London Paddington will be diverted between Newport and Swindon, non-stop via Gloucester, adding around 30 minutes to journey times.

Replacement buses will also operate between: Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway; Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach; Swindon, Bristol Parkway and Newport; Bristol Parkway and Yate (Saturday only); Bristol Parkway and Gloucester (Sunday only).

The work on the railways includes overhead line equipment, used to hold the wires for electrification, being installed. There are also going to be platform upgrades at Bristol Parkway station and improvements to the track layout.

The travel information comes as the WRU issued fresh warnings to fans – encouraging them to turn up early this weekend in a bid to avoid the long queues that occurred last Saturday when Wales faced Australia.

Gates to the Principality Stadium will open at 11.30am tomorrow – and the message is that fans should arrive as early as possible in order to get in faster.

Stadium manager Mark Williams said: “To allow for the increased security checks, we have doubled the amount of time that the stadium is open prior to kick-off from 90 minutes to three hours and broadcast this message as widely as possible.

“Despite these efforts, only 10% of ticket holders arrived at the stadium in the first hour-and-a-half of opening last weekend.

“As such, regrettably, the surge in arrivals later than we had advised slowed entry to the stadium, meaning some attendees missed the kick-off.”

In order to encourage as many fans as possible to arrive earlier, there will be additional entertainment around the concourses when the gates open and early bird deals on food and drink, for those supporters who get in early.

Fans are again being advised to leave large bags and umbrellas at home, as they will not be able to take them into the ground, with Williams adding: “We strongly urge fans to assist us in maintaining a safe and secure stadium by getting in early and leaving large bags and umbrellas at home to avoid unnecessary delays and disappointment.”

However, small bags and handbags will be permitted, provided they are no larger than 35cm x 40cm x 19cm.

There are no bag storage facilities available at the stadium, so fans are advised to plan ahead if they intend travelling to Cardiff with a large bag.

Addressing the railway works, Matthew Barnes, from Great Western Railway, said: “This upgrade work will help to relieve a bottleneck at Bristol Parkway, which is crucial to be able to provide more frequent services; and alongside electrification of the line, will help to deliver the full benefit of our new Intercity express trains.

“We would like to thank our customers in advance for their patience during this weekend and have provided a number of additional direct bus links to support this weekend’s rugby.”

Ross Liddell, project sponsor for Network Rail, said: “The upgrade of Bristol Parkway station is vital as we continue to deliver the benefits of our railway upgrade plan, with the new platform 1 available for use towards the end of this year.

“I’d like to thank residents living near to the railway and passengers for their continued support throughout the modernisation work which forms part of our railway upgrade plan.”

Bristol Parkway station remains open throughout the work.

For more details, customers are advised to visit GWR.com/Bristol2017, and to use online journey planners for specific train times.