Wales v Ireland

The last time the men in green played in Cardiff they were sent back over the Irish sea with their tails between their legs after Wales claimed a 22-9 victory. This time, they will be determined to prevent Wales from winning the coveted Grand Slam.

Up to 275,000 people are expected in Cardiff on Saturday, with a sell-out crowd, there will be a full city centre road closure between 11.15am and 5.45pm, with kick off taking place at 2.45pm.

Enhanced security measures will continue to be in place at Principality Stadium so all those that are coming to Cardiff to watch the game are strongly advised to leave plenty of time to get into the city and into the stadium.

Rugby fans are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales  before they travel into the city.

Gates will be opening at Principality Stadium from 11.45am to show the Italy v France on the big screens.

Road closures
From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result 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:
· 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.

Following the end of the event road closure at approximately 6.00pm, the night time closure of Lower St Mary’s Street will remain in place.

Trains
Network Rail is advising customers that there are no planned engineering works in Wales, so there are no planned interruptions on the London to Cardiff rail line.

Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk  or by calling Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000.

Transport for Wales is advising all customers that trains in the Cardiff area will be exceptionally busy all day. Those travelling into the city to watch the match are advised to travel as early as possible

Cardiff Queen Street Station will close at 4.15pm and there will be a post-match queue system in place at Cardiff Central. For more information on Transport for Wales’ services, please visit www.tfwrail.wales/events

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 click Park & Ride – 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 at 8.30am, with the site opening at 9.00am and the first bus leaving at 9.00am. The last bus will leave the pick up at the pick-up point at 7.30pm with the car park closing at 8.00pm.

Motorways and trunk roads
As with all major events, ticket holders are encouraged to plan their travel well ahead and make allowances for busy motorways and trunk roads. The M4 corridor and approaches to Cardiff are 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 off the M4
Cost: £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only)
Parking time: Car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12 midnight

Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 9.00pm, 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: £12 in you pre-book through the following link –https://zeelo.co/rides/Wales-Rugby/park-ride-and-premium-parking-for-wales-vs-ireland-15966 or £15 payable on the day at the car park (cash only).
Parking time: Staff will be on site at 7.30am and will open at 8.00am and all cars must be removed or a pay & display ticket displayed from 8am on Sunday March 17th

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.

Shopping Parking
Shoppers are advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall. Or city centre car parks are also available: 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 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 close at 11.15pm and will re-open from 5.45pm.

Bus
 
Local buses:  
Buses will be diverted out of the central city bus stops from 11.00am until 6.45pm. 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.

From 6.45pm until 10pm, buses will follow their evening route in the city centre due to the night time economy road closure in Lower St Mary’s Street
 
Cardiff Bus are advising their passengers that the X59 service to and from the Park & Ride East site will drop off and pick up in the city centre at Dumphries Place all day. The site will run the usual opening hours.

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.