Sunderland City Council has issued advice to Sir Elton John concert-goers heading into the city on Sunday. Thousands of music fans and many first-time visitors to Sunderland are expected to arrive in the city to enjoy Elton John's concert at the Stadium of Light.
Now the council, Sunderland AFC, Metro operator Nexus and bus companies are putting well-rehearsed event travel and transport plans in place to ensure people have a stress-free journey. These include extra Metro and bus services, with a traffic management system for the afternoon and evenings to avoid over-congestion on public transport or on the roads.
The council offers more than 1,300 city centre car parking spaces, plus on/off-street parking. Council-run St Mary's and Sunniside Car Parks charge a flat rate of £2 to park all day on Sundays, and there are privately run car parks all within comfortable walking distance of the stadium.
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For the concert, there is also a 'park and walk' system from Sunderland Enterprise Park with access from main road routes into the city. The key drop-off and pick-up point for car passengers is Dame Dorothy Street’s westbound carriageway. This is signposted for drivers entering the city centre.
Sunderland BID has a packed programme of outdoor activity between 12 and 6 across the city centre on Sunday including circus performances and wandering musicians. It is also Father’s Day and the BID is encouraging people to come into the city centre to enjoy.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, Councillor Linda Williams said: "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.
"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."
The best routes into the city for motorists are signposted with temporary traffic signs, with drivers advised to switch off sat navs and follow the signs. Road maps for the concerts and live updates are on the traffic monitoring site one.network
Vehicles travelling from the south are advised to take the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop people off in the city centre or at Dame Dorothy Street, the main drop-off and pick-up point, 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 Sunderland Enterprise Park - accessible via the A1231 Wessington Way, this is the event's main Park and Walk site.
Public parking is not available in the stadium complex as the roads immediately surrounding the Stadium of Light in the Sheepfolds area will be closed. Therefore vehicle pick-up and drop-offs immediately outside the stadium are not possible. Drivers are reminded that residential streets in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light are subject to Residents' Parking Permit restrictions.
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