Cardiff is gearing up for a busy summer, with two major music events at the Principality Stadium: Take That and Metallica. These concerts will bring a surge of fans to the city, causing significant traffic disruptions and road closures in the city centre. Here's a comprehensive guide to navigating the city during these events, including road closures, transport options, and parking advice.
Road Closures
The city centre will experience full road closures from 3 pm until midnight for each event. Here's a breakdown of the affected roads:
- Scott Road and Park Street: Closed from 7 am for event preparation and fan queuing.
- Kingsway, Cowbridge Road East, Tudor Street, Plantagenet Street, Beauchamp Street: Closed from 3 pm until midnight.
- Duke Street, Castle Street, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street, Scott Road: Closed in their entirety.
- Station Terrace and Guildford Street: Access for buses only during road closures.
- Penarth Road: Closed 30 minutes before and up to an hour after the concerts for safety.
- Station Terrace: Closed for a short period post-event for station operations.
Civic Centre Access
Access to parts of the Civic Centre will be controlled, allowing only event parking, limited commuter parking, and access to private car parks.
Transport Options
Trains
- Great Western Railway (GWR): Additional services will be available, with extra trains running from Cardiff Central to Swansea, Newport, Bristol, and Swindon.
- Transport for Wales (TfW): Additional capacity will be provided, with queuing systems in place at Cardiff Central and Queen Street stations.
Bus
- Local buses will be diverted, and specific bus operator websites provide route details.
- Stagecoach, Cardiff Bus, and NAT services will have updated information.
Park & Ride
- Take That Event: Park & Ride facility at Cardiff City Stadium (Leckwith, CF11 8AZ). Drop-off at Fitzhammon Embankment.
- Metallica Event: Park & Ride facility at Vindico Arena (Cardiff Bay, CF11 0JS). Drop-off at Tresillian Way.
Parking
- Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens: Open from 8 am to 12 midnight, with a 0.5-mile walk to the stadium.
- City Centre Car Parks: Available for general parking.
- Disabled Parking: Advised to use Sophia Gardens or private car parks.
Cycling and Walking
- Cycleways and pop-up cycleways will remain open, but cyclists should take due care.
- Research shows that 52% of car trips in Cardiff are under 5 km, making cycling a viable option.
Taxis
- St Mary Street taxi rank will close at 3 pm and re-open at midnight.
Traffic Information
- Up-to-date traffic information is available on the Traffic Wales website and social media channels.
With these events bringing a significant influx of people to Cardiff, it's essential to plan your travel in advance and consider alternative modes of transport to ensure a smooth and safe experience.
