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Concert information issued ahead of Sam Fender stadium shows
Important information has been issued for the Tyne & Wear region ahead of sold-out concerts by Sam Fender at St. James' Park in June and separate music events in Sunderland.
The North Shields native will play highly anticipated shows at the home of the Magpies on back-to-back nights on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June, and public transport, road networks and emergency services are expected to be extremely busy across the region.
With separate music events at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, including a show running concurrently with Sam Fender's second night on Saturday 10th June - the first time such events have taken place on the same evening - concert organisers, local authorities and regional partners have worked closely together to implement a comprehensive regional plan.
Accordingly, all members of the public are advised to make essential journeys only on the following dates:
* Friday, 9th June - from 4pm on public transport and roads in and around Newcastle
* Saturday, 10th June - from 2pm on public transport and roads in and around Newcastle and Sunderland
TICKET HOLDERS
Ticket holders with 'pitch standing' tickets are advised to arrive early as there will be increased security measures in place.
Attendees are advised that food and drink must not be taken into the stadium from outside.
For security and speed of access, ticket holders are asked not bring bags to the concert unless necessary. If necessary, they should be no larger than 30cm x 30cm.
SAM FENDER SHOW TIMES
All times are approximate and are subject to change:
General admission opens: 4pm
Main act on stage: 9pm
Show concludes: 10:45pm
TRAVEL ADVICE
Anyone intending to travel to Newcastle or Sunderland city centres on concerts days is advised to plan well in advance and allow extra time for journeys. Public transport passengers are likely to experience long queues and extremely busy public transport services.
Drivers are urged to avoid roads close to Newcastle and Sunderland city centres on concert days. If journeys by road are necessary, drivers should park at a reasonable distance from event locations using established car parks.
Those who can walk to and from city centre locations are strongly advised to do so.
Although additional public transport services will be in operation after the concerts, there will be changes to station entry points and some services will terminate at suburban interchanges to allow for onward journeys.
Day and return tickets will be accepted across the region’s public transport network after the concerts.
ST. JAMES' PARK ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Public safety is of paramount importance to concert organisers and city centre partners, and extensive crowd management will be in operation around St. James' Park and nearby transport provisions.
Public transport users are asked to listen to the instructions from Customer Service teams, who will be on hand to assist. Queues are highly likely, and your patience is appreciated while waiting to board services.
Extra services will be in operation in addition to the usual network of timetabled bus and rail services, but there will be changes to some services.
METRO
To support the safe and efficient dispersal of crowds from the stadium and to protect public safety, please note the following changes to the Metro network in Newcastle on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June.
FRIDAY, 9TH JUNE
To assist with crowd control, some stations will be closed early and other stations will be for customers leaving the station only (no entry):
* St. James - closed from 8pm
* Monument platform 4 (to St. James) - exit only from 8pm
* Haymarket exit only all day (no entry into the station)
Trains will run through closed stations and platforms without stopping.
SATURDAY, 10TH JUNE
The usual network of timetabled bus services and rail services from Newcastle and Sunderland will be running.
Crowd control measures will be in place, including Metro station closures and queues for Metro travel from Monument (towards Wallsend).
From 10pm, Metro trains from Monument will operate towards Whitley Bay via Wallsend and North Shields only. For other routes, please use shuttle buses instead, or go to Gateshead for stations towards South Shields and South Hylton.
If you are travelling towards South Shields or South Hylton, there will be a frequent Metro service from Gateshead. You can get to Gateshead Interchange on foot or catch the concert shuttle bus SF3 from Market Street (see below for full details).
METRO STATION CLOSURES
To assist with crowd control, some stations will be closed early and other stations will be for customers leaving the station only (no entry):
* St. James - closed from 8pm
* Monument platform 1 (towards Heworth) will be closed from 10pm
* Monument platform 3 (towards Wallsend) will remain open for travel towards Whitley Bay via Wallsend
* Monument platform 4 (to St James) - exit only from 8pm
* Manors - closed from 10pm
* Jesmond - closed from 10pm
* Haymarket - exit only all day (no entry into the station)
* Central Station - exit only from 10pm (no entry into the station)
Trains will run through closed stations and platforms without stopping.
Additional Metro services will be in operation from 11:30pm until 1am on Sunday, however passengers are advised not to leave their journeys until the final services as they are likely to be extremely busy.
BUSES
There will also be additional bus services from city centre transport hubs, including express services to the following locations starting from 9:40pm:
* Gosforth, Regent Centre and Kingston Park
* Four Lane Ends and Cramlington
* Gateshead, Low Fell and Chester-le-Street
The usual network of timetabled bus services will be running.
In addition to the usual network of bus services, Nexus has arranged for three separate concert shuttle bus services to operate from Newcastle city centre to help get you home. These bus services will operate up to every ten minutes from 10pm until late.
All valid Metro tickets will be accepted for travel on the concert shuttle bus services:
* Bus SF1 stops on Blackett Street (stop number 08nc108)
Stopping only at Gosforth High Street/Brandling Arms, Regent Centre Interchange, Fawdon Mormon Church and Kingston Park Metro
* Bus SF2 stops on St Mary's Place (stop number 08nc76)
Stopping only at South Gosforth roundabout, Longbenton shops, Benton cemetery, Forest Hall shops, Palmersville Metro and Cramlington Manor Walks
* Bus SF3 stops on Market Street (stop number 08nc68)
Stopping only at Gateshead Interchange, Low Fell The Cannon and Chester-le-Street Red Lion
USEFUL LINKS
Key information: nexus.org.uk/concerts
Bus services: nexus.org.uk/bus
Rail services: nexus.org.uk/rail
Newcastle parking: newcastle.gov.uk/services/parking-and-permits/car-parks-and-street-parking
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