BUSINESSES in the North-East are preparing for a busy weekend as thousands of sports fans arrive in the region for two international fixtures.

England take on Sri Lanka in Test Match cricket at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, while the national football team has a friendly against Australia in Sunderland ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament.

The events are set to give a major boost to the regional economy, with the cricket running from Friday to Tuesday and the football kicking off on Friday evening.

Ross Smith, director of policy at North-East Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great that the North-East can host such prestigious sporting events.

“These occasions give us a fantastic opportunity to promote the region on the global stage an offer the chance for a substantial boost for the local economy through the publicity and spending power of visitors attending them.”

Durham County Council leader Simon Henig is planning to be at both events on Friday.

He said: “It must the first time the England international cricket and football teams have played in the North-East on the same day.

“It is tremendous for the region, in terms of the people it brings in who fill up our hotels, restaurants cafes and so on, but also in terms of the focus it puts on the region, as well and the profile it gives us throughout the rest of the country, but internationally as well.

“It is a real boost to be playing host to high profile fixtures such as this.”

Luke Bidwell, spokesman for Durham County Cricket Club, said the region could be assured of hosting international cricket until 2019 at least.

He said: “Bringing international cricket in the North-East was the vision of many people involved in Durham CCC and we are proud and honoured to continue to deliver such events at Emirates Riverside.

“We believe the publicity and attention it brings to the wider region can only benefit the people of the North-East and the businesses too.”

Roads in the region are expected to be very busy, especially on Friday, and spectators are being warned to leave plenty of time for their journeys.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “Although the cricket game does not start until well after the morning rush hour, there is the possibility of delays for drivers heading through or around Chester-le-Street on Friday morning.

“In particular, the A1(M) around junction 63 will be busier than usual and also the A167 which heads past the Riverside.

"The same will apply around 6pm, or whatever time play ends for the day."

In Sunderland, football fans are advised to use public transport where possible and city centre car parks for parking and drop-off points.

Roads immediately surrounding the stadium will be closed to traffic and there is no on-site parking.

Football fans at the Stadium of Light can enjoy all the build up to the match at the dedicated Fan Zone, which is more twice the size of the usual match day facility.

There will be live music and entertainment, interactive games and competitions as well as bars and food outlets.

Sunderland band Frankie and the Heartstrings are performing live on stage and there will be special guests throughout the afternoon from 3pm to keep the crowds entertained.

It will close just prior to kick-off at 7.45pm and re-open again at final whistle to allow supporters to enjoy a post-match drink while they wait for the crowds and traffic to disperse.

A spokesman for Sunderland AFC said: “Excitement is mounting ahead of England’s visit to the Stadium of Light on Friday.

“Roy Hodgson’s side face Australia in an important warm up game ahead of next months’ UEFA Euro 2016 tournament and the home of Sunderland AFC is privileged to have been chosen to host the fixture.

“Sunderland is getting ready to welcome tens of thousands of visitors, many from outside the region and match-goers can expect a warm Wearside welcome when they arrive in the city.”

TICKET INFORMATION

CRICKET

The Test is from Friday to Tuesday. Tickets are available from £25 for adults and £5 for juniors. To book log on to www.durhamccc.co.uk/news/investec-test-match/ or call the box office on 0844 499 4466.

Getting to the cricket

TRAVEL

By Car

The ground is just off the A167 between Chester-le-Street and Durham. Exit the A1(M) at Junction 63.

The only way to secure a parking space at the ground is to purchase a parking permit in advance. Pre-paid permits, which are limited in numbers and sold on a first come first served basis, are available for £10 from the box office on 0844 4994466 or online at durhamccc.co.uk

Park & Ride

Durham CCC is operating a Park & Ride service for days 1-3 of this match, located at LAMBTON ESTATES (DH3 4PQ).

The cost of the Park and Ride service is £4 per car. Park and Ride passes are available on the day at the park and ride site or can be booked in advance through the Box Office on 0844 499 4466 or online.

Follow the yellow and black signs:

• From A1(M) leave at junction 64.

• From A19 leave at A183 junction.

• From A167 follow signs via A183.

The Park & Ride will run from at 8.15am until 11.15am. The service will resume 30 minutes prior to close or abandonment of play.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Bus

Chester-le-Street can be accessed via a number of bus routes such as:

• From Newcastle and Gateshead every 10 minutes on Angel services 21 and 22

• From Bishop Auckland and Durham every 30 minutes on Angel service 21

For further routes and information visit www.simplygo.com or contact Traveline on 0871 2002233.

Train

A number of trains stop at Chester-le-Street station. This is the closest station to the ground and is around a fifteen minute walk from Emirates Riverside via a clearly signposted route.

A more extensive service operates to Durham station from where Durham CCC will operate a shuttle bus service. The shuttle bus service will operate from 8.15am to 11.15am in the morning, with a return service operating 30 minutes prior the close of play or abandonment of the game. The cost of this service is £2 per person per journey (£4 return) and is paid on the shuttle bus.

For general rail timetable information visit: www.chester-le-track.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk

Other modes of transport

Drop-off and Pick-up Point

Emirates Riverside has a designated drop-off and pick-up point for all cars and taxis.

A road closure may be in place on B1284 Rotary Way immediately play finishes. It is advisable for vehicles to be at the pick-up point approximately 15 mins before close of play. All vehicles must turn left when exiting from the pick-up point.

Walking

There is a signed pedestrian route from Chester-le-Street town centre and railway station to Emirates Riverside. Walking time from Chester-le-Street town centre to Emirates Riverside is approximately 15 minutes, and from the railway station is approximately 20 minutes.

Cycling

Dedicated cycle racks are available free of charge at the ground. Stewards at the gate will direct any cyclists wishing to use these on the day.

Getting to the Stadium of Light

There are roadworks on European Way in Pallion, and part of the A1231 is down to one lane in each direction because of construction work on the new Wear Crossing with delays expected in both areas.

North: From the A19 and follow signs for A1231 Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Ride and use the Park & Ride service.

Alternatively, from the A19 follow signs for A184 Sunderland (North), then either; Roker Seafront or City Centre and use car parks.

South: From the A19 follow signs for A1018 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use car parks.

From the A1(M) follow signs for A690 Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use car parks.

West: From the A183 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre

and use car parks.

From the A690 follow signs for Sunderland, then signs for City Centre and use car parks.

From A1231 follow signs for Sunderland, then yellow signs for Park & Ride and use the Park & Ride service.

Roads immediately surrounding the Stadium of Light will be closed to all traffic on the day. Access is by permit only and there is no parking or vehicle pick up or drop off areas on, or near to the site.

Vehicles from the south are advised to take the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop visitors off in the city centre, with the Stadium of Light just a five-minute walk away. Vehicles from the north and west are advised to use Sunderland Enterprise Park – accessible via the A1231 Wessington Way, which is also the event’s main Park and Ride site.

PARKING: There is no parking available on the stadium complex, with parking immediately around the Stadium of Light also extremely restricted. Residential streets in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light are also subject to Parking Permit restrictions.

Full details are available at www.sunderland.gov.uk/parking.

Additional spaces are also available at the University of Sunderland.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

METRO: Metro trains run regularly, with passengers advised to plan their journey in advance, leave extra time and check on-line for the latest updates at www.nexus.org.uk.

There will be a Metro train every 15 minutes during the day between Newcastle and Sunderland rising to a train every five minutes after 4pm, with the high-frequency service continuing after the event to make sure large crowds can get away from the venue safely.

Extra Metro services will be running between Newcastle and Sunderland augmenting the normal service between 9.30pm and just after 11pm. The last train time to Newcastle from the Stadium of Light will leave as normal at 12am (midnight).

A special event Metro ticket is available in advance from all Metro ticket machines. This will save fans the hassle of having to queue at the machines on the day of the game.

All passengers going to the match should use St Peter’s station only, which is the nearest station to the stadium, before and after the match.

BUSES: Go North East is providing enhanced bus services around the Stadium of Light, including areas such as South Shields, both before and after the match.

Full advice is on the travel information website www.nexus.org.uk and through North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

TRAINS: Sunderland is served by a mainline railway station. For National Rail Enquiries, call 0845 7484 950. Grand Central operate direct services to Sunderland city centre, 0844 811 0071.