Northern issues travel advice ahead of South Yorkshire derby

The two sides meet in the lunch time kick off on Sunday, and the train operator is warning its services are likely to be much busier than usual.

Northern is planning an additional service after the match, but rail users may still experience extremely busy trains and stations.

Tony Baxter, Regional Director at Northern, said: “A Yorkshire derby is always hard fought and, as this is the first between the two sides since restrictions were lifted, we’re expecting our services to be really busy.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we’re putting on an additional service and using as many carriages as we can to make journeys as comfortable as possible, but we need rail users to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel.

“I’d also advise people to stagger their journeys where possible as trains leaving directly after the match are likely to be busiest.”

Fans are also being asked to continue making use of the walking routes put in place between the station and Oakwell.

The routes were introduced to manage the flow of fans through the station on match days when Barnsley play at home. The station footbridge will be closed from one hour before the start of a match until one hour after the final whistle.

To reach Oakwell Stadium fans are advised to walk via Eldon St / Eldon St Nth / Schwabisch Gmund Way, or alternatively walk via May Day Green / Cheapside / Lambra Rd / Pontefract Rd. The walking route is fully signposted and is supported by Barnsley FC and South Yorkshire Police.