Ahead of Elton John visiting the Stadium of Light on Sunday, Sunderland Council have released new travel advice for concertgoers and urged them to plan their journeys.
Around 30,000 fans are expected to pack out the Sunderland stadium on Sunday (June 19) for Elton John’s only North East gig on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Extra metro and bus services will be running before and after the event to avoid over-congestion on the roads as fans of the music icon make their way to the venue.
Keir Hardie Way and roads surrounding the Stadium will be closed to allow the council to manage traffic.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, Councillor Linda Williams said: "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 concert."
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"Following the success of the Ed Sheeran concerts over the jubilee weekend, we're really looking forward to welcoming music fans from across the city, the region and the country for the Elton John concert at the Stadium of Light this Sunday.
"Our city centre has lots to offer with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants all open, so people may well want to arrive early, enjoy some time in the city and then walk over to the stadium.”
Here is all of the travel advice concertgoers need to plan a smooth journey to the gig:
Road closures
Sunderland Council has advised drivers travelling from the south to use the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop people off in the city centre or at Dame Dorothy Street, 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 the park and walk site at Sunderland Enterprise Park via the A1231 Wessington Way.
Roads surrounding the venue will be closed with no pick up and drop off areas immediately outside the stadium.
Parking
There will be no parking available on the stadium grounds and drivers have been reminded that residential streets around the stadium are restricted with residential parking permits.
Council-run St Mary's and Sunniside Car Parks charge a flat rate of £2 to park all day on Sundays, with more than 1,300 city centre car parking spaces, plus on/off street parking available.
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There are also several privately run car parks all within walking distance
For the concert there is also a park and walk carpark at Sunderland Enterprise Park with access from main road routes into the city.
Public transport
Extra busses and metro trains will be running before and after the concert to help fans make their way to the stadium.
Those using the Metro are advised to leave plenty of time to get to Sunderland before the concert, and to use St Peter’s or Stadium of Light Metro stations afterwards, where extra staff and queue management will be in place.
After the gig the last train towards Newcastle leaves St Peter’s at 23:59pm, or Stadium of Light at 00:00am.
Read more: Elton John in Sunderland: What you can take into the stadium
The last train to South Hylton will leave Stadium of light at 23:43pm, calling at St Peter’s at 23:45pm.
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