Road will close so fans can leave stadium in safety

A ROAD closure outside St James' Park following Newcastle United home games will be trialled in the interest of public safety.

- DAVID HUNTLEY

Starting this weekend, a short-term closure of Barrack Road, immediately outside the stadium, will be put in place after the matches in time for fans leaving the stands following the final whistle.

Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police and Newcastle United, have confirmed the temporary closures are in the interest of public safety as large crowds of fans often spill out across both sides of Barrack Road as they make their way out of the ground at the end of the game.

Coun Juna Sathian, Cabinet Member for Climate and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: "Our main priority is public safety and these measures are designed to ensure there are safe and separate spaces for the large numbers of fans leaving St James' Park and for all other road users as well.

"With traffic diverted away from Barrack Road, vehicles will be able to continue their journeys without experiencing delays due to the crowds and fans will have space to make their way from the stadium quickly and safely on foot.