Cardiff Milennium Stadium Park & Ride! (Park & Ride Facilities)

Member Name: OhLala-17

Product:	Park & Ride Facilities
Date:	23/06/09 (267 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to find, good idea.

Disadvantages: The bus coming back.

I recently went to the Take That concert in Cardiff's Milennium Stadium, at first we didn't know how we were going to get to Cardiff it was going to be either car or train.
It turned out we would miss the last train home so going by car was the only other option.
It was just a week before we were due to go the sold out concert we thought we had better look for somewhere to park.
I went onto the park & ride website and clicked on the Cardiff section, it turned out most of the park & rides would shut before the concert ended. Luckily I saw a sign saying that the council do a special park & ride for when the Stadium has something big going on. Unfortunately every time I clicked on the link for more information it wouldn't load.
So the day we were going to the concert I finally managed to get onto the website and get the details!


Because we were going to a sold out concert with 60,000 people we thought we'd better get to Cardiff fairly early.
For us Cardiff is a good 2 and a half hours away so we left in plenty of time.


- Getting There -
_______________

As we got into Cardiff the large motorway signs that usually signal if there are delays ahead told us which junction we needed to get off at for the Take That Park & Ride.
Even though we had got the directions off the internet before hand we found these signs very helpful!
We got off the motorway still following the signs and along the roadside were more signs, these were temporary ones placed onto the grass.
We were very grateful for these signs as we had no idea where we were going!
We came to a roundabout near an industrial estate and a sign was telling us to go around the roundabout, at first we had no idea where to turn off at, but I suddenly saw a small entrance into a medium sized area.


- The Park & Ride -
_________________

We went in and saw a stony industrial land, not a proper park & ride. First thought's what an easy way to make money!
We were directed where to park by the staff who were clearly marked with neon jackets on.
It was about 2.30 - 3pm when we arrived and the park & ride was looking very busy already so we were glad to arrive when we did!

It was a little bit unclear where we had to go to get the bus, but we just followed the many excited people.
We walked over the stony gravel onto a slightly grassed area.
Just up from the grass was a gate taking you out onto a road where the bus was.
There was a slight que and here is where the staff member took the £10 parking and travel fee.
We stood in the que for less than 5 minutes and got onto the double decker bus.
It was a very nice new bus with seat belts and a TV. Although it was very crowded.
From the park & ride to the bus stop it was about 10 minutes travel time.
The bus stop is around a 5 minute walk from the Milennium Stadium.
To get to the stadium you have to cross the road and go under a bridge, then you can either go into the shopping area or to the Stadium.


When the concert finished at 10.30pm (and what a concert it was too!!) we had to get out! It took a while to actually get out and it was 10.50pm by the time we did.
We rushed to the park & ride bus stop as the last bus was at 11.30pm to see a massive que!
I cannot begin to tell you how long the que was, it went down the street and further!
We joint the end and spent a long 40 minutes waiting. The Park & ride staff were good as there were 3 buses on the go, 1 single decker and 2 doubles, so the que was always moving. (Good job it was a warm night.)
We eventually got on a double decker bus, but this time it wasn't so nice. It was very old with bugs in and again crowded!
But as long as we got to the car park it was fine by us.

On arrival it was pretty much mid-night which is when the park & ride is scheduled to close.
We got out of the car park quickly as it was almost empty and got onto the road to go back home!


- Overall -
_________

Overall I think it's a great idea the council set this park & ride up because, parking would have been a nightmare otherwise.
At £10.00, it's not a bad price but they certainly know how to make money as it wasn't even a proper car park.
The staff were friendly and helpful, even though the car park closes at 12, they kept it open for those still in the que.
The only disadvantage is that the bus coming back was very old and not nice to be on. But the happy atmosphere made up for that!

If I ever go to another concert or event at the Milennium Stadium this would be the place I would park, as it is easy to find and you can park there all day.


- Other Info -
____________

The carpark is open from 8.30am and the first bus is at 9am. So if you want a full day in Cardiff and then go to an event at the Stadium I think it's fantastic value for money.
For the concert I was at the car park closed at 12pm with the last bus at 11.30pm. But this changes depending on the event.

They only run this park & ride for special events at the stadium & not general day to day use!
Website: http://www.parkandride.net/cardiff/cardiff_framese t.shtml


- How To Get There -
_________________

Cars to exit junction 33 of the M4, as I've said you then follow the signs until you get to the park & ride.



4 Star- Recommended.
June 2009.

Summary: A great idea to have for large events!