A number of events are set to take place in Cardiff this weekend (August 13-14), meaning some roads in the capital will be closed. On Saturday, August 13, Speedway will be taking place at the Principality Stadium; Cardiff City Football Club will be taking on Birmingham City at Cardiff City Stadium, and The Welsh Fire will be playing Birmingham Phoenix as part of the Women’s and Men’s ‘Hundred Series’ at Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground.
In addition to the events taking place in Cardiff this weekend, there is also industrial action by the train drivers' union ASLEF. While Transport for Wales (TfW) is not involved in the dispute with ASLEF, its services are expected to be extremely busy, with the company advising people to only travel by rail if their journey is essential.
Here's what you need to know about road closures in Cardiff this weekend. You can get more Cardiff news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Road closures
Road closures will be put in place at the end of the Cardiff City v Birmingham City game between 1.45pm and 3pm on Sloper Road, from Bessemer Road to Leckwith Road and on Leckwith Road, between Sloper Road and Wellington Street.
The first cricket match at Sophia Gardens will start at 2.30pm, with the second at 6pm. To facilitate these events, Sophia Close will be closed between 4pm and 10pm. With the gates of the Principality Stadium opening at 3.30pm for Speedway and the event scheduled to finish at 8.30pm, Westgate Street will be closed in its entirety between 3pm and 9.30pm.
Access to the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking; access to the Speedway Fanzone; limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks. Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road. You can read more stories about Cardiff here.
Trains
There is set to be widespread disruption to the rail network on Saturday, August 13, due to industrial action by ASLEF. While TfW is not involved in the dispute, it is expected that its services will be extremely busy as Great Western Railways (GWR), West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and Cross-country are not operating any services at all on Saturday August 13.
TfW is advising people to only travel by rail if their journey is essential on the South Wales Main Line between Carmarthen and Newport and between Cardiff and Lydney. Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check full timetables (available from 9 August) on the TfW website and online journey planners before travelling. Where services are running, they may be subject to late-notice changes. Find out more about the rail strikes for August here.
Bus
Local bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place. For more information on specific bus routes, you can see Stagecoach services here, Cardiff Bus services here, and NAT services here.
The National Express coach station at Sophia Gardens will not be accessible from 12.30pm until 10.30pm due to the cricket taking place. All services will therefore pick up and set down on Cathedral Road outside the Wales Audit Office.
The stops are located on the left-hand pavement, just after the junction with Sophia Close on Cathedral Road, as you travel towards Cardiff City centre from the north, outside the Wales Audit Office, not the Esso garage. Services will be permitted to turn right at the end of Cathedral Road into Cowbridge Road and head west avoiding the city centre.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser) will not be affected by these events.
Park & Ride facilities for the cricket and Speedway
The event park and ride facility for these events will be at County Hall car Park in Cardiff Bay, with the drop off and pick up at Callaghan Square. The facility is accessible via the M4, leaving at junction 33, and travelling down the link road (A4232).
Buses will be running to and from the city centre every 10 minutes before the concerts begin. It costs £10, which is payable on the day – card payments are now available. The car park opens at 9am and the first bus will leave at 9.30am. The last bus from the city centre will be at 10pm and the car park will close at 10.30pm.
Parking
Civic Centre Event Day Parking: To get there, exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre. Parking costs £15, payable on the day at the car park – card payments are also now available. The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight. Coach parking costs £25, payable on the day, and is cash only.
Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens: Parking for cars is approximately a 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2. It costs £15, payable on the day, with card payments now available. Car park opens at 8am and closes at 12 midnight. Please note: All vehicles are left on site at the owner's risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Shopping Parking: Shoppers are advised to make use of the dedicated Shopping Park & Ride sites at Pentwyn or County Hall. Or city centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David's Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road.)
Disabled parking: Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks. Please check individual websites for availability.
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