Ed Sheeran will be playing in Cardiff for a record breaking four nights running - with the first event starting on Thursday June 21stand the last gig taking place on Sunday June 24th.
For all these four events, Network Rail is advising all passengers that the Severn Tunnel will be closed for planned rail upgrade work, with long distance journeys between London and Cardiff running on a diversionary route, adding forty minutes to the journey time, as services will not be calling at Bristol Parkway.
With a sell-out crowd for each event, there will be a full city centre road closure in Cardiff on each night which will start at 5.30pm and will end at 11.30pm.
The roads and motorways into Cardiff are expected to be very busy, especially on Thursday and Friday with commuter traffic leaving the city. All those coming to Cardiff are strongly advised to leave plenty of time for their journey and pre-book either park & ride or parking through https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium
All ticket holders are being advised that there will be enhanced security checks when entering the stadium.Fans are strongly advised toleave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city.
Trains
Great Western Railwayis advising their customers that services to and from South Wales will be affected due to railway upgrade work between Bristol and Newport.
As a result, GWR services to and from Cardiff will run to an amended timetable.
Customers must check their journey in advance via www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000.
Service information: Inbound to Cardiff Central
- From London Paddington to Cardiff Central there will be one train an hour which will not call at Bristol Parkway ( the diversion will add around 40 minutes to the usual journey time);
- From Portsmouth/Taunton to Cardiff Central, train services will terminate at Bristol Parkway instead of Cardiff Central; a rail replacement bus service will run between Bristol Parkway and Newport; trains run from Newport to Cardiff Central.
Service Information: Outbound after the events from Cardiff Central
- There will be no trains to London Paddington
- Rail replacement buses will run from Cardiff Central direct to Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads.
Arriva Trains Walesis advising customers thatCardiff Central station is expected to be extremely busy on all four days.
After the concerts, fans should use Cardiff Central where a queue system will be in place. Cardiff Queen Street station will be exit only from 10pm so customerswill notbe able to use Cardiff Queen Street after the concert.
Extra capacity will be provided where possible, however after the events, train services will be very limited.
Please note that on Sunday 24 June, whilst extra capacity will be added during the day, trains will be running to the normal Sunday timetable and capacity in the Cardiff area will be severely limited especially services after the concert. Customers are advised to plan their journey home in advance given the limited post event services available
Please check your journey plans before you travel at www.arrivatrains.wales. For the latest travel advice on the day follow us on Twitter @arrivatw
Road closures
From 7am, both Scott Road and Park Street will be closed so that staff can prepare Gate 5 to protect queuing fans.
A full city centre road closure will come into operation between 5.30pm and 11.30pm and the following roads will be closed:
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure:
- 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.
Additions:
Civic Centre: 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.
Please note:
If there are any safety concerns in connection with crowds queuing to go into the venue prior to gates opening, there may be a need to close Wood Street and Westgate Street earlier, along with lane restrictions adjacent to Gate 1 on Cowbridge Road East.
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 safety concerns are remedied.
Bus
Local buses:
Buses will be diverted out of the central city bus stops. Buses 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.
Cardiff Busis advising all their customers that all services which are effected by the city centre road closure will divert to the satellite points at 3pm.
For all other bus operators, please visit the relevant bus operator's website for more information about your specific bus route.
National Express:
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Event Park & Ride
Event Park & Ride is available at Leckwith and can be accessed from junction 33 off the M4 and then follow signs to the site.
To pre-book Park & Ride visit - https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium
If customers pre-book Park & Ride, they are required to print the pre booking confirmation and hand it to staff at site on arrival.
The drop off point is Tresillian Way North, at the back of the train station.
The Park & Ride is 1.5 miles from the city centre which take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
If you pre-book, the cost is £8 or £10 payable on the day (cash only)
Staff will arrive at the car park at11.30am, with the site opening at 11.45am and the first bus leaving at 12 Noon. The last bus will leave the pick up at the pick-up point at 11.30pm with the car park closing at Midnight.
Motorways and trunk roads
As with all major events, ticket holders are encouraged to plan well ahead and make allowances for busy motorways and trunk roads. The M4 corridor and Cardiff is expected to be very busy.
Event Day Parking
Sophia Gardens (cars)
(Approximately, 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2).
Sophia Gardens Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit junction 32 of M4
Cost: £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only)
Parking time: Car park opens at 8am and closes at midnight
Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 11.30pm, all vehicles 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.
Civic Centre Event Day Parking (cars)
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: £15 payable on the day (cash only) or £12 if you pre-book. To pre-book your parking, click on to: https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium (this is available to cars only).
Parking time: The car park opens at 8.00am and closes at Midnight.
If customers pre-book, they are required to print the pre booking confirmation and hand it to staff at site on arrival.
Can you cycle or walk?
Those who 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 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.
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks. Please check individual websites for availability.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will be closed from 5.30pm, and will re-open from 11.30pm.