Book your parking early for Tall Ships and save money, visitors are told

Tall Ships visitors can slash the cost of parking by prebooking their space.

Sunderland is getting set to host the UK’s largest free family event from Tuesday, July 10, to Saturday, July 14, when a magnificent fleet of more than 50 vessels will arrive at the port of Sunderland.

And coaches, drivers and Blue Badge holders can make sure they enjoy everything the event has to offer – and save money – by pre-booking their parking spaces.

Five Park and Ride sites are in operation around the city, with capacity for more than 3,000 cars.

There will also be dedicated coach parking at the Stadium of Light and Blue Badge and Premium parking at St Peter’s Riverside.

There will also be shuttle buses which will run at frequent intervals between the event zones on the north and south of the River Wear.

Park and Ride tickets prebooked online cost £10 per car per day and will cover the driver and four passengers to travel on the Park and Ride buses.

They also allow the holders to access the shuttle buses throughout the day of validity. Additional Park and Ride passengers are charged at £2 each and under-fives travel for free.

If bought on the day, Park and Ride tickets cost £4 per passenger, with an additional £2 per person cost for the Event Shuttle Bus.

Blue Badge parking is also available to buy online with tickets for each available at just £10 per day – a 50 per cent saving on the ‘on the day’ price of £20.

Public transport providers will also be laying on additional services throughout the festival.

Coun John Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture at Sunderland City Council, said: “I would really urge all visitors to get online and book their parking tickets now,

“We’re expecting more than one million visitors to the event and with a little forward planning, visitors can ensure they have a parking space – and save money.”

The event schedule begins on Tuesday, July 10, when the ships which have already arrivedintoSunderlandwilllower their gangways to visitors.

Wednesday, July 11, will see all of the ships berthed in the Port or at St Peter’s Riverside, and a welcome parade will make its way through the port.

On Thursday, July 12, the programme of culture and entertainment continues when a crew parade will weave through the city centre, followed by a prize-giving ceremony.