Cardiff Council issue travel advice for Wales' Six Nations clash against Ireland
Image Credit: @tomaesh/Instagram
Cardiff Council have issued travel advice to the people of Wales going to watch the nation play Ireland at the Principality Stadium next Saturday.
With kick-off taking place at 2.15pm - there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.15am until 6.15pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium in a safe manner.
The M4 motorway is also expected to be very busy, with people being told to plan ahead and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at County Hall in the Bay.
Gates will open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off at 11.45am, meaning those attending the rugby match are being strongly get in early. Please pay attention to the prohibited items outlined by the Principality Stadium, in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city.
WATCH - Highlights of Wales' last match against Ireland in February last year - Credit: Guinness Six Nations
Important road closures information
From 7am on matchday, Scott Road and Park Street (off Wood St and Westgate St) will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 10.15am until 6.15pm:
- 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.)
- 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.
- Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be access for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way.
- Additionally, Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the game finishes and up to hour after the final whistle on safety grounds for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station.
As well as these, access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with entry allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Principality Stadium - Credit: @tomaesh/Instagram
Trains
Transport for Wales has announced that it will be running a full timetable in and out of Cardiff on Saturday February 4th, however services will be very busy so please allow plenty of time for your journey.
Post-event queues for mainline services will be on Central Square and queues for Valleys services will be to the rear of the station.
For the latest travel information, head over to the Transport for Wales website or app.
If you have any issues on the railway, please speak to a conductor or, for more serious matters, you can text the British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800405040. In an emergency, make sure you always call 999.
Strikes
Industrial action by members of the ASLEF and RMT unions on the day before the match, Friday February 3rd, means some Great Western Railways services will not run.
TFW are not involved in the strike action but its services are expected to be busier than usual on Friday February 3rd.
Park & Ride facilities
The event park & ride facilities will be at County Hall in Cardiff Bay. The drop of point in the city centre is Callaghan Square (Eversheds car park) - only a 10 minute walk from the Principality Stadium.
The park & ride site will open at 9am with the first bus leaving at 9.10am. The last bus from the city centre will be at 6.30pm with the site closing at 7pm.
Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost (cars): £15 payable on the day at the car park - card payments are also now available.
Cost (coaches):£25 payable on the day.
Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight.
The roads around the Civic Centre will remain closed after the car park is empty until 1pm on Sunday, due to the Remembrance Sunday service.
Parking at Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna
Sophia Gardens is a great place to park for cars. It is an approximately 0.5 mile walk away to Gate 2 of the Principality Stadium (Westgate Street).
To get there, exit the M4 off junction 32.
Please note: The car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12 midnight. Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7.00pm, with all vehicles that are left on site at the owner's risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Dewi Lake score a try for Wales against South Africa in the Summer Rugby Internationals 2022 - Credit: WRU
Buses
Bus services in the local area will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place.
For more information about your specific bus routes, please visit the relevant bus operator's website.
Cardiff Bus: VISIT HERE
Stagecoach: VISIT HERE
NAT: VISIT HERE
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Can you cycle or walk?
Those who live locally in the city of Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research has shown that around 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km - a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.
It has also been found out that 28% of Cardiff residents who 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 during big events.
Shopping parking
Shoppers are being strongly advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall.
City centre car parks are also available. These are North Road Car Parks, St David's Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road.)
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are ebing guided to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.
Make sure you check individual websites for availability.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will close at 10.15am and will re-open at 6.15pm.
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