Rugby fans have been advised to plan ahead and avoid travelling by train on the day of the Wales v New Zealand match in Cardiff next month. Wales are set to take on New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 5, but severe restrictions are expected as strike action will be taking place on the rail network.
Additionally there will be a full city centre road closure from 11.15am until 7.15pm on the day of the match with bus services due to be diverted while the closures are in place. There will be no trains running from Cardiff after the match, which will start at 3.15pm, and those planning to travel by car have been advised by Cardiff Council to plan ahead as the M4 is expected to be busy. Fans have been advised to avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using park and ride facilities at the Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith or County Hall in Cardiff Bay. Earlier this year there was widespread disruption with 15 miles of queueing traffic as an Ed Sheeran gig in the city coincided with the start of the half-term break causing some fans to miss the show and Cardiff council's leader to admit he was "concerned". The date of the New Zealand game coincides with the end of half term in Wales meaning roads are likely to be busier than usual too.
The RMT and TSSA unions have announced full strike days for November 5, 7, and 9, with TSSA action short of a strike also announced on November 4, 6, and 8 resulting in almost a full week of rail disruption. On the full strike days, including November 5, Network Rail has said that most trains across the Wales and Border network will be suspended, with severely-reduced services running east of Cardiff and to the Valley Lines only.
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While Transport for Wales (TfW) is not involved in either dispute its services will be affected as it relies on Network Rail staff to run trains on much of the network. Typically up to 35,000 people travel to Cardiff by train for international rugby matches with more than 20,000 getting a return home.
Inbound capacity by rail in the hours leading up to kick-off will be heavily reduced – two-thirds lower than usual – and there will be no trains scheduled from Cardiff following the match. The final service will depart from Cardiff Central before 5pm. Nick Millington, acting route director at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: "I’d like to apologise to passengers for the continued disruption due to industrial action. We never like having to tell people not to travel by rail but ensuring people can safely get home has to be our priority."
Transport for Wales managing director Jan Chaudry-Van der Velde added: "The safety of our passengers is always our primary concern and, due to the severe impact of the industrial action on our ability to run services, we are advising customers not to travel by train on Saturday, November 5, and to make alternative travel arrangements. We’ll continue to work collaboratively with our partners to ensure we can support the event going ahead as safely as possible."
Richard Bowland, customer service and operations director for Great Western Railway (GWR), said: "We’re really sorry to all rugby fans who would normally be travelling with us to and from Cardiff Central. Unfortunately, due to the limited operating window caused by this industrial action, we’re unable to provide train services after the match and must therefore tell supporters not to travel to the game by train."
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has also advised fans travelling into the city for the game to find alternative transport if they had originally planned to travel by train and to expect delays on their journeys. A spokesman from WRU said: "The UK rail network will be severely disrupted on Saturday, November 5, due to planned industrial action. We strongly advise supporters travelling into Cardiff to seek alternative transport. Wales v New Zealand is always a fantastic experience and we look forward to welcoming supporters back for the opening match of the Autumn Nations Series however we urge supporters to plan ahead, allow plenty of time to get into the city, and expect delays to their journey."
For key information about road closures, bus diversions, and parking facilities on the day of the match see below.
Road closures
Cardiff Council has announced that road closures will be in place from 11.15am until 7.15pm as part of a full city centre road closure. The St Mary Street taxi rank outside the House of Fraser will also close during these hours before re-opening at 7.15pm. The roads being closed between these hours include:
- 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 Fitzhamon 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 Street, 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.
From 7am Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare gate five and protect queuing fans. Access to part of the civic centre will also 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.
Buses
Bus services will also be diverted while the road closures are in place though National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual. Customers are advised to visit the relevant bus operator's website for information about specific bus routes. Stagecoach services can be found here, Cardiff Bus services can be found here, and NAT services can be found here.
Park and ride
Cardiff Council has advised people to avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park and ride facilities at Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith or County Hall in Cardiff Bay. Both facilities can be accessed via the M4, leaving at junction 33, and travelling down the link road (A4232) and following the signs that will be put in place.
The drop-off point in the city centre from Leckwith is Fitzhamon Embankment and the drop-off point from County Hall is Callaghan Square. Buses will be running to and from the city centre every 15 minutes. Park and ride costs £10, payable on the day, and card payments are now available. Both car parks open at 9am with the first bus leaving at 9.10am. The last bus from the city centre for both park and ride sites will be at 7.30pm with the sites closing at 8pm.
Parking
Parking at the Civic Centre costs £15 which is payable on the day at the car park. Card payments are also now available. For coach parking payment coasts £25 and is cash only. The car park will open at 8am and closes at midnight. Parking is also available at Sophia Gardens costing £15 for cars (with card payments now available). The car park opens at 8am and closes at midnight and will be staffed until 7pm. Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens though disabled parking is also available at other private car parks across the city.
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