Rugby fans have been advised to plan ahead and avoid travelling by train on the day of the Wales v New Zealand match in Cardiff next month. Wales are set to take on New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 5, but severe restrictions are expected as strike action will be taking place on the rail network.
Additionally there will be a full city centre road closure from 11.15am until 7.15pm on the day of the match with bus services due to be diverted while the closures are in place. There will be no trains running from Cardiff after the match, which will start at 3.15pm, and those planning to travel by car have been advised by Cardiff Council to plan ahead as the M4 is expected to be busy. Fans have been advised to avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using park and ride facilities at the Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith or County Hall in Cardiff Bay. Earlier this year there was widespread disruption with 15 miles of queueing traffic as an Ed Sheeran gig in the city coincided with the start of the half-term break causing some fans to miss the show and Cardiff council's leader to admit he was "concerned". The date of the New Zealand game coincides with the end of half term in Wales meaning roads are likely to be busier than usual too.
The RMT and TSSA unions have announced full strike days for November 5, 7, and 9, with TSSA action short of a strike also announced on November 4, 6, and 8 resulting in almost a full week of rail disruption. On the full strike days, including November 5, Network Rail has said that most trains across the Wales and Border network will be suspended, with severely-reduced services running east of Cardiff and to the Valley Lines only.
