Arriva Trains Wales has announced it is closing Ninian Park Station for all of Cardiff City’s home fixtures this season.
The company is planning to suspend services for three hours either side of kick offs starting with the Brighton match on Wednesday, August 17.
Grangetown Station will be used as the main access station for travel to and from Cardiff City’s Stadium. Trains will call at all other City Line stations, such as Waun-gron Park, Fairwater, Danescourt and Radyr, as per the timetable.
Peter Northcott, head of stations for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “We believe that encouraging the use of Grangetown station will better suit the needs of passengers as the station benefits from more frequent services and wider platforms and will provide passengers with a more pleasant and safer journey experience to and from the match.”
The move has not gone down well with fans.
Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust is urging urged Arriva Trains Wales to reconsider the decision.
Chair Tim Hartley said: “We understand that Arriva wants fans to use Grangetown railway station, rather than Ninian Park before and after matches, because of a fear of overcrowding.
“We don’t believe there are capacity issues at this station ahead of games because supporters do not arrive in huge numbers at the same time. Our view is that trains coming down from the Valleys to Cardiff Central can call safely at Ninian Park station before games kick-off.
“There may be an argument for trying to manage the numbers after the match but we are disappointed that there was no consultation between Arriva Trains Wales and supporters’ groups before these changes were announced. This will add a lot to journey times for many fans and will be a real inconvenience. This station, after all, was built to serve the old Ninian Park ground.”
Arriva Trains Wales said it had discussed the station change with Cardiff City FC, South Wales Police, the British Transport Police and the Welsh Government.