Important Travel Advice For Sunderland

Police are issuing information for travelling Newcastle United fans ahead of the derby game at Sunderland on Sunday, 21st October.

Fans should be aware that the location of the away fans at the Stadium of Light has changed. They are now seated in the upper tier of the Strongbow North Stand.

On the day fans will have access to the bars on levels one and three of the North Stand.

The level one bar will serve alcohol before kick-off, at half-time and after the match has ended, while supporters are held back for a short time.

The level three bar will serve soft drinks and snacks before kick-off and at half-time but alcohol will only be served at this bar after full-time.

Newcastle fans will be asked to wait in the stadium for a short while after the final whistle and will have access to the bars and toilets while they do so.

This is to allow police to ensure there is a safe path back to the coaches and Metro trains for fans when they leave the stadium.

To help supporters get to the Stadium of Light in good time for the game officers are advising fans to use public transport or official club supporter buses.

Newcastle United are once again providing transport to the Stadium of Light for supporters who have purchased a ticket for the fixture at Sunderland, and fans are being urged to make use of the service.

The cost per supporter will be £5. The Club is making this nominal charge to counter logistical problems encountered last season, where large numbers of fans booked places on the coaches but did not then take advantage of the travel offer.

Supporters are encouraged to use the coaches to travel the game as it assists local police to manage the arrival and departure of Newcastle fans attending the game.

The Club will still be paying the full cost of the coaches, however all monies raised by the Club by levying this charge will be paid to a chosen Newcastle United charity. Contact the Box Office on 0844 3721892 (option 1) to book.

Nexus are running direct Metro services for supporters on match day.

There will be two Metro trains travelling direct from Central Station in Newcastle to St. Peter's in Sunderland. They will leave at 12.16pm and 12.23pm.

For the return journey, there are three Metro trains running direct from St. Peter's station to Central Station. They are at 4.44pm, 4.53pm and 5.08pm.

There will be one special Northern Rail service running from Central Station to St. Peter's before the match, and one from St. Peter's back to central station after the game. The exact times have not yet been finalised.

Fans travelling from Newcastle are urged to use either the Metros, trains or the supporters' coaches as traffic in Sunderland city centre will be busy on matchday.

Roads closed on derby day will be Sheepfolds North and Sheepfolds Road - near to the St. Peter's Metro station.

For more information from Northumbria Police about the Tyne-Wear derby, click here, or for information about travel visit www.nexus.org.uk or www.northernrail.org