Travel warning to Ashes followers

It is the first time the Ashes has been played in Cardiff

Fans are being warned to allow plenty of time to reach Cardiff when cricket history is made with the first Ashes game to be held in Wales on Wednesday.

The stadium in Sophia Gardens will host the England-Australia showdown, and lane widening and speed restrictions may cause long delays on the M4.

Visitors are not allowed to park around the stadium in resident-only permit zones for the npower Ashes Test.

Drivers are also asked to follow special signs instead of using sat nav.

All over Cardiff, "Ashes Ambassadors" will help to direct fans, many of whom will be first-time visitors to the Welsh capital.

For generations sporting heroes have battled over the Ashes, but always on English or Australian turf, and this will be the first time a test has been staged in Wales.

ASHES TRAVEL ADVICE BUSES: Nine local bus services stop on Cathedral Road near the ground and further routes stop on Cowbridge Road East, a few minutes walk from the stadium PARKING: Residents-only near stadium; city centre carparks likely to be very busy; for park and ride facilities at Ikea off Ferry Road follow the signs (opens 0700-2100 daily). There is designated coach parking off Sophia Close with driver facilities. Contact the stadium for the appropriate access permit, on 02920 409380. WALKING/CYCLING: The stadium is 20 minutes walk from the city centre on the Taff Trail or via Cathedral Road; Cycle route along Taff Trail, 30 cycle stands available at the ground RAIL: 20 minutes walk from Cardiff Central station and routes will be signposted BAY LINK: Bay Car bus links the city centre to Cardiff Bay and the Cardiff Water taxi provides an hourly link between the hotels and car parks in Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Castle in the city centre. ROAD CLOSURES: Sophia Close will be closed from 0600-2000 on all five days. More info from Glamorgan Cricket Club

The stadium, on the outskirts of the city centre, can house up to 16,000 spectators.

Chief Inspector Steve Murray of South Wales Police said: "We anticipate around 100,000 additional people in the city centre over the five days that the Ashes is in Cardiff which means the transport routes into the city centre will be extremely busy particularly during the morning rush hour and also later in the evening."

"We would reiterate the advice provided by the local authority in asking people to use public transport and to plan their journey in and out of the city centre."

'Potential congestion'

Glamorgan Cricket's operations director, Simon Lee said: "Due to the works being conducted on the M4, we would ask that all fans add an additional two hours to their journey time to avoid getting caught in any potential congestion."

The road widening scheme on the M4 motorway is between junctions 29 and 32.

Australian expatriate Judith Isherwood, chief executive of the Wales Millennium Centre said: "I'm sure a love of cricket is in my DNA.

"I grew up in Melbourne, home of the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Club, and my family were passionate about the sport. "

"Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching the Ashes on our old black and white TV back home in Melbourne."

"I am proud to be an adopted Welsh woman, but I'm afraid when it comes to cricket my loyalties lie with Australia. I'll be cheering them on."

'Embracing the Welshness'

Ian Golden, from hardcore fan group, England's Barmy Army, said: "We will be embracing the Welshness of the occasion and that will include having t-shirts with Barmy Army written in Welsh."

"Members of the Barmy Army have already done 'recces' and it will be a dawn to dusk event for five days."

Fans are also being encouraged to visit a free exhibition called 'The Ashes Come To Cardiff' at the Old Library in The Hayes, which features bats used by W G Grace and boots worn by Don Bradman.