News Release
Travel advice for derby fans
Dated: 18 Oct 2012
Northumbria Police is reminding football fans to plan their travel arrangements ahead of the derby game on Sunday, October 21.
To help supporters get to the Stadium of Light in good time for the game officers are urging fans to use public transport or official club coaches.
Newcastle United are running supporters’ coaches from St James' Park direct to the Stadium of Light and fans are being urged to make use of the service.
The cost per supporter will be £5 and fans can get them from the club box office
Nexus is running direct Metro services for supporters on match day.
There will be two Metro trains travelling direct from Central Station in Newcastle to St Peter's in Sunderland. They will leave at 12:16 and 12:23.
There will be one special Northern Rail service running from Central Station to St Peter's before the match (at 11:50am).
Those travelling by Metro or train must enter Central Station by the entrance near the long stay car park and Centurion bar.
Fans cannot enter by the main front entrance. Officers will be using a barrier queueing system in order to get fans onto trains safely.
For the return journey there are three Metro trains running direct from St Peter's station to Central Station. They are at 16:44, 16:53 and 17:08.
There is one special Northern Rail service from St Peter's back to Central Station after the match (approx 5pm).
There will be officers based at St Peter's Metro station to ensure people board the Metros and trains safely.
We expect the Metros to be full and ask for fans to be patient and to cooperate in order to get everyone home safely.
Officers at St Peter's station will be splitting waiting fans into groups and staggering numbers to make sure trains aren't overcrowded. It's important that supporters listen to and work with officers.
Operations Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: "Fans travelling to the derby game on Sunday need to have planned their transport to and from the game in advance.
"The Metro and train services on the day will be extremely busy and I'd urge people planning on using them to give themselves plenty of time for their journeys and to be patient with other travelling supporters
"We're working with British Transport Police, Northern Rail and Metro staff to ensure the safety of Metro and rail passengers and will have officers at Central Station and St Peter's Metro station throughout the day.
"I'd also remind supporters Newcastle United are running supporter buses direct from their ground to the Stadium of Light and back and people can book places on these buses by contacting the club."
Updates regarding travel, road closures and general match day advice will also be available via our dedicated Football Twitter feeds for each club.
Follow the feeds below:
Sunderland
http://twitter.com/NorthumbriaSAFC