Sunderland vs Newcastle: Football fans issued travel warning as Tyne and Wear Metro trains will not stop at stations including Stadium of Light
Football fans heading to the Sunderland vs Newcastle match on Sunday have been issued a warning as travel restrictions will be in place.
Sunderland host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday at 14:00 GMT, marking their first top flight clash in almost a decade. Between 10:00 and kick-off, Tyne and Wear Metro trains travelling southbound towards the match will not stop at Stadium of Light station, while Metro trains travelling northbound from South Hylton will not stop at St. Peter's station.
After the game, home fans will be released first and those wanting to use the Metro will be escorted to the Stadium of Light station. Then, away fans will be directed to St. Peter's. Fans travelling on the southbound Metro before the match have been asked to use St Peter's or trains heading towards Newcastle.
Northern also warned that trains would be busier before and after the game. "If not heading to the game, you may want to travel outside these times," a spokesperson said.
Stagecoach buses encouraged supporters to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. Police officers said the closures were put in place to "ensure the safety of both sets of fans and the wider public", and there would be a "much larger police presence around the ground than usual".