Fans facing rail disruption and road closures
FOOTBALL fans hoping to get home after this weekend’s clash between Manchester Utd and AC Milan in Cardiff could find their journey harder than a Roy Keane tackle.
It’s going to be a packed game as the two teams go head to head in the International Champions Cup at Cardiff Principality Stadium on Saturday.
There will be road closures in operation. And Network Rail is advising customers that engineering work will be taking place around Newport station starting at 11pm that same evening.
As a result several routes will be affected, including Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town, Hereford to Gloucester and Maesteg to Gloucester.
The following amended timetable for Transport for Wales services will be in place on these routes:
■ 10.18pm – Maesteg to Gloucester will be replaced by a bus service between Newport and Gloucester.
■ 11.02pm – Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town will be replaced by a bus service for the entire route.
■ 11.05pm – Gloucester to Cardiff Central will depart at the earlier time of 10.45pm
■ 11.15pm – Hereford to Cardiff Central is replaced by a bus for the entire route.
Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www. nationalrail.co.uk or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000.
Transport for Wales is also advising all customers that trains in the Cardiff area are expected to be busy all day, so those travelling into the city to watch the match are advised to leave plenty of time for their journey.
There will be a post-match queuing system in place at Cardiff Central and all Valley Lines services will depart from the rear of the station at the Penarth Road car park.
In addition, Cardiff Queen Street station will close to outbound customers at 7pm.
For more information on Transport for Wales’ services, please visit www.tfwrail.wales/events.
With the kick-off taking place at 5.30pm, there will be a full city centre road closure operation from 2pm until 8.30pm for public safety reasons. United supporters travelling by road will be directed to leave the M4 at junction 32 and travel south along the A470 and can park in the Civic Centre, while the Park & Ride facility at Leckwith and car parking available at Sophia Gardens will be available for all supporters.
Here’s the full list of road closures: ■ From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need to prepare Gate Five and protect queuing fans.
■ 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 and 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 and traders will be permitted).
■ Saunders Road from its junction with St Mary Street.
■ Customhouse Street throughout its length (access to private car parks will be permitted).
■ Penarth Road from its junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the rear of the 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.
Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
If any safety concerns arise concerning overcrowding prior to gates opening there may also be a need to close Wood Street and Westgate Street earlier, along with lane restrictions adjacent to Gate One on Cowbridge Road East.
Similarly, 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 the probelm is remedied.