FOOTBALL fans have been advised that the quickest way to get to Newcastle from Durham and Darlington today will be to get a direct train in the morning.

Virgin Trains suggests fans travelling to the Newcastle-Rotherham match should, if possible, take a train before the route shuts around midday for engineering works at Durham Station.

The last scheduled Virgin Trains services north are 11.21am from Darlington and 11.26am from Durham.

Claire Ansley, general manager for Virgin Trains on its east coast route, said: “We’re providing a replacement bus service between Darlington, Durham and Newcastle this Saturday afternoon and evening, and urge Newcastle fans to plan their journeys in advance and to leave plenty of time to get to the match.

“The quickest way to get to Newcastle from Durham and Darlington on Saturday will be to get a direct train in the morning, but if this is not possible, fans should check with our website and National Rail Enquiries to ensure they get a bus service with plenty of time to spare to get to the match.

“We expect services to be busy for a few hours in the middle of the day and after the match, as on any match day, and thank fans for their patience.”

Platform one at Durham is being extended by 40metres to allow all carriages of the longer Azuma trains, due to be introduced by Virgin Trains on their east coast route from 2018, to fit into the station.

Check with National Rail Enquiries or virgintrainseastcoast.com before travelling.