Newcastle City Council confirm new road closure system around St James Park ahead of new Premier League season
Newcastle City Council has confirmed it will change the road closure system around St James Park on Newcastle United matchdays.
Eddie Howe’s side play their first home pre season fixture this weekend and, as much as the fixture allows the squad to continue building towards the 2025-26 season,
However, it is not just on-the-pitch matters which are being tested for the opening weekend of the season, and Newcastle City Council will use this weekend as a way to test a new set of road closures around St James Park on matchdays.
The council confirmed the change last week, saying the following on social media: “We have been working with Newcastle United and Northumbria Police to improve safety measures for fans leaving the stadium at the end of the game.
“Starting from the club’s pre-season friendlies on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August, we’ll by trialling a short-term road closure on Barrack Road at the end of each match.
“Barrack Road is always packed with fans leaving St James’ Park after the game finishes and we are all concerned about the safety of supporters.With traffic diverted onto less busy routes, this temporary closure will allow everyone to continue their journeys on foot or by car quickly and safely.
“The closure will be in place between Stanhope Street and St James’ Boulevard from the end of the match for up to 45 minutes until the crowds have cleared.
“Bus services that normally travel along and stop on this section Barrack Road will be diverted and passengers will need to use alternative stops.”
“The X50 soccer bus will stop at the top of St James Boulevard, outside the Citygate building, to pick up passengers heading back to the MetroCentre Park and Ride.”
The changes will result in changes to Stagecoach bus services which usually use Barrack Road. The full list of impacted services can be found on the travel company’s website.