THOUSANDS of music fans are expected to arrive in the city to enjoy the Sheeran concerts at the Stadium of Light this Friday and Saturday (June 3 and June 4) with many first time visitors.
To welcome everyone, and make their journeys to and from the city and the stadium as stress free as possible, community partners, including the City Council, Sunderland AFC, Metro operator Nexus and bus companies, are putting well-rehearsed event travel and transport plans in place.
These include extra Metro and bus services, with a traffic management system for the afternoon and evenings to avoid over-congestion on public transport or on the roads.
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The City Council offers more than 1,300 city centre car parking spaces, plus on/off street parking, council parking is free after 3pm on Friday, and there are privately run car parks all within comfortable walking distance of the stadium. For the concerts, there is a 'park and walk' system from Sunderland Enterprise Park with access from main road routes into the city.
The key drop-off and pick-up point for car passengers is Dame Dorothy Street’s west-bound carriageway. This is sign-posted for drivers entering the city centre.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, Councillor Linda Williams said: "We're all looking forward to welcoming music fans from across the city, the region and the country as major concerts return to the Stadium of Light.
"Our city centre has lots to offer with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants all open, so people can arrive early, enjoy some time in the city and then walk over to the stadium.
"We want everyone to enjoy themselves so our advice to concert-goers is plan your journey. Travelling by public transport can avoid the stress of driving, but if you are using the car please plan your route and remember that you can’t park or pick up at the stadium as the surrounding roads will be closed for the concerts."
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The best routes into the city for motorists are signposted with temporary traffic signs, with drivers advised to switch off sat navs and follow the signs.
The best routes into the city for motorists are signposted with temporary traffic signs, with drivers advised to switch off sat navs and follow the signs.
Road maps for the concerts and live updates are on the traffic monitoring site one.network Vehicles travelling from the south are advised to take the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop people off in the city centre or at Dame Dorothy Street, the main drop-off and pick-up point, with the Stadium of Light a short walk away.
Because of the closure of Keir Hardie Way, vehicles from the north and west are advised to use Sunderland Enterprise Park - accessible via the A1231 Wessington Way, this is the event's main Park and Walk site.
Public parking is not available in the stadium complex as the roads immediately surrounding the Stadium of Light in the Sheepfolds area will be closed. Therefore vehicle pick up and drop offs immediately outside the stadium are not possible.
Drivers are reminded that residential streets in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light are subject to Residents' Parking Permit restrictions.
Ed Sheeran has revealed how past jubilee celebrations inspired his musical career ahead of his performance at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday.
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