Parking in South Shields

Felix

I am doing the great run in Newcastle on Sunday and rather than park at the start I want to park near the finish. Can any one tell me the best place to park in South Shields. I will be getting the Metro first thing on Sunday morning into Newcastle so anywhere near the station would be preferable.

Thanks!

mutley74

theres plenty of parking near the new waterside retail park (next, BHS etc) which is just 2mins from the Metro. Failing that park at customs house about 5min walk and should be free. Failing that behind M&S around the coast road over the roundabout past the Customs House. If youre early you should be okay. You could park near Ocean Road or one of the side streets and walk into Town for the Metro. That means you will be closer to your car when you finish.

mutley74

heres a google link
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=south%20tyneside&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

alanrowell

Most of the road closures will be until 4-5 pm and during that time there will be only one road open past Tyne Dock leading to the A19. So all that will happen is that you will sit in a car for a VERY long time

http://gnr.realbuzz.com/traffic_and_travel/index.php?page=1

Personally I'd get the Metro into Newcastle and pick up your car there

At least you'll be able to get round the road closures

Map of route & road closures - http://gnr.realbuzz.com/event_information/images/Course%20map.pdf

You can't go north because of the river, you can't go east because the the sea. The first crossing point north is the Tyne Tunnel, the only way out south is via the A19 - at the Tyne Tunnel

mutley74

another option would be to park your car say at Seaburn metro - metro to Newcastle. then after the race get a bus to seaburn along the coast.....i would expect they will have some buses on...

alanrowell

The roads don't start opening until after 4:00pm so you won't be able to get a bus anywhere out of South Shields. The Metro is really the best way out of town on Sunday.

And save a couple of quid for a Minchella's '99

Felix

Thanks for the replies. The reason I want to park in South Shields is to avoid the queue to get back into Newcastle on the Metro or bus.

mutley74

The coast road is open from Marsden (just after the roundabout near the Grotto) to Whitburn onwards. (or it used to be open before).
Tip buy your Metro ticket before hand, think its just a cheap to buy an all day metro pass for a Sunday from the machines.

fairlysure

Hiya. I live in shields, just to let those who have recommended taking the metro know the queue's after the race are INCREDIBLY long (right out of the station and down the main shopping street long) so bare that in mind. If anyone is planning on taking the metro I would recommend popping to the pub for a couple of hours to let it die down

Felix

Thats what I am concerned about! Having run 13 miles I hardly want to wait in a queue!

Is there no easy way out of South Shields? I am heading north back up to Scotland.

mutley74

Felix wrote: »

Thats what I am concerned about! Having run 13 miles I hardly want to wait in a queue!

Is there no easy way out of South Shields? I am heading north back up to Scotland.

park you car near customs house (next to the Tyne). When finished...grab an ice cream on teh way back get in car and drive along road past Tyne Dock which will lead you to signs for A19 etc. Get to A19 Tyne Tunnel. From there take A19 North till you see A1 signs. Looks like as someone has said expect traffic as this is the only route out from the area.
Other option you have is to park your car near North Shields Metro. Then when you finish catch a ferry back to North Shields but i thinks its a good uphill walk to the station (you need to check some maps). For ferry and metro see Nexus website.
have fun & good luck:T