Planning well underway for Tyne-Wear derby Dated: 23 Jan 2014 [View Full Size] Planning for the upcoming derby football match is well underway. The match - which is being held on Saturday, February 1 at 12.45pm - will see a capacity crowd at St James Park and Northumbria Police is urging football fans to help them make the occasion a successful and safe day. There will be extra police officers on duty for the match and they will be based at key points around Newcastle and Sunderland, including the transport infrastructure, before, during and after the game. They are there to help supporters on match day and to ensure the safety of everyone attending. Roads in Newcastle city centre are expected to be extremely busy on derby day and Sunderland fans are being advised to plan their travel arrangements for the game in advance and make the most of free coach travel being provided by Sunderland AFC. The coaches leave the Stadium of Light at 10.30am from the Green Car Park area next to the ticket office and were the quickest way to travel back from the match last season. There will be direct Metro services for Sunderland supporters on match day. There will be two Metros travelling direct from Sunderland station to Central Station in Newcastle. They will leave at 10.43am and 10.55am. For the return journey - There are two Metros running direct from Central Station to Sunderland. They are at 3.45pm and 3.57pm. Northern Rail will be providing a train service specifically for supporters, direct from Sunderland station to Newcastle Central Station and back. Timings of these services are still to be confirmed. Turnstiles at St James Park will open at 11am for the first arrival of Sunderland supporters from the Stadium of Light, 11.15am generally. Roads temporarily closed on derby day between 1.30pm and 5pm will be - Barrack Road in both direction between its junctions with Gallowgate and New Mills; Strawberry Place between its junction with Barrack Road and St James Street; Pitt Street between its junctions with Barrack Road and Wellington Street and Barrack Road, south/eastbound between its junction with Holland Drive and New Mills. Sunderland fans are being asked to work with police and stewards and wait in St James Park for a short while after the final whistle, as per previous derby matches. This is to allow police to ensure there is a safe path back to the coaches and rail transport for fans when they leave the stadium. The holdback will be kept to a minimum amount of time and is in place for everyones safety and Sunderland fans will have access to bars, refreshments and toilets while they are waiting. People not attending the match should also be aware there is ongoing improvement works at Newcastles Central Station which is causing disruption to access to the station and surrounding area. Given the number of football supporters expected to arrive and depart in one go at the station on Feb 1 and the subsequent congestion, commuters are advised to pre-plan their travel arrangements for that afternoon. Operations Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: We want to welcome supporters from both teams and we hope they enjoy what is a great sporting event and a highlight in the footballing calendar for the region. The Tyne-Wear derby is a celebration of both teams and we know supporters look forward to it and want to soak up the atmosphere. Our role is to help supporters enjoy themselves and ensure the safety of all those attending and weve been working closely with partners, including both clubs, local authorities and British Transport Police, to make sure this is the case.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 22:32:01 +0000
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