Transport for Wales is trialling a new approach for Wales v Italy on Super Saturday, with Valleys and Vale line passengers directed to Cardiff Queen Street instead of Cardiff Central station.
Wales v Italy fans travelling back to many places have been told not to use Cardiff Central
Thousands of Welsh rugby supporters will need to alter their travel arrangements for Wales’ Six Nations match against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday, as Transport for Wales unveils a new crowd management strategy.
The transport body plans to trial a fresh approach to post-match crowd control for the Super Saturday fixture on 14 March. Supporters who typically depart from Cardiff Central station will be redirected to help “improve the match day experience” and facilitate major works at the station.
Rugby fans accustomed to catching Cardiff, Valleys and Vale services from Cardiff Central after games will instead be ordered to go to Cardiff Queen Street station – approximately a 15-minute walk from the stadium – following the Italy clash.
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This change is due to redevelopment work commencing at the rear of Cardiff Central station, part of the station enhancements project and the Cardiff Crossrail programme.
Consequently, the area previously utilised for post-match queuing outside the stadium will no longer be accessible.
Whilst the trial means that fans using the Valleys and Vale lines will face a lengthier walk to the station post-match, Transport for Wales assures it will also lead to reduced waiting times and quicker boarding. The introduction of individual route queues aims to expedite passengers’ journeys home.
“We’re preparing for the £140 million redevelopment of Cardiff Central station and looking at the best ways to get people home on event days,” said Georgina Porter, Customer Delivery and Events Planning Manager for Transport for Wales.
“This event gives us the perfect opportunity to work with our customers to test a smarter, more targeted approach to moving large numbers of fans out of the city.
“Keeping Cardiff Queen Street open for Valleys and Vale services allows us to ease pressure on Cardiff Central station, distribute passenger flow more effectively and get people home sooner.
“These changes give us the opportunity to engage with our customers more effectively on the day, with teams on the ground making sure everyone gets to the right place. We’ll continue to adapt our plans based on what we learn from the trial.”
Queuing will begin from 6pm at both stations, whilst accessibility support will remain available at Cardiff Central for both mainline and Valley passengers.
Passengers for the following stations will be directed to Cardiff Queen Street: Aber, Abercynon, Aberdare, Bargoed, Barry, Barry Docks, Barry Island, Birchgrove, Brithdir, Cadoxton, Caerphilly, Cathays, Cogan, Coryton, Cwmbach, Danescourt, Dinas Powys, Dinas Rhondda, Dingle Road, Eastbrook, Energlyn and Churchill Park, Fairwater, Fernhill, Gilfach Fargoed, Grangetown, Heath High Level, Heath Low Level, Hengoed, Lisvane and Thornhill, Llanbradach, Llandaff, Llanishen, Llantwit Major, Llwynypia, Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Vale, Mountain Ash, Ninian Park, Penarth, Pengam, Penrhiwceiber, Pentre-Bach, Pontlottyn, Pontypridd, Porth, Quakers Yard, Radyr, Rhiwbina, Rhymney, Taffs Well, Tir-Phil, Ton Pentre, Tonypandy, Trefforest, Trefforest Estate, Trehafod, Treherbert, Treorchy, Troed-y-Rhiw, Ty Glas, Waun-Gron Park, Whitchurch (Glamorgan), Ystrad Mynach, Ystrad Rhondda.
The below queues will be outside Cardiff Central on Central Square:
- London Paddington
- Newport
- Bristol Temple Meads
- Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe
- North Wales
- Hereford
- Birmingham
- Swansea and West Wales
- Maesteg
Passengers travelling on services to Ebbw Vale and Cheltenham Spa will be directed to the Riverside car park (Platform 0).
