(Image: PA)
Extra travel time and careful planning will be essential for visitors heading into Sunderland city centre over the next couple of weekends.
Sunderland City Council has issued transport and parking advice ahead of the In the Square Summer Series, a major music event taking place over two weekends at Keel Square, starting on August 21.
Sunderland and Park Lane Metro stations are both within half a mile of Keel Square, offering convenient access.
Buses also serve the city centre, with Park Lane Interchange located just 0.4 miles from the event site.
For those travelling by car, several car parks, including Sunniside Multi-Storey, St Mary's, and Riverside, will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis.
However, St Mary's Boulevard will be closed during the event, and access to St Mary's Car Park will be maintained via diversions from West Wear Street or Wearmouth Bridge.
To support the event, several roads will be closed from noon on Thursday, August 20, until 6am on Monday, August 24, and again from noon on Thursday, August 27, until 6am on Tuesday, September 1.
Affected routes include St Mary's Boulevard, Paley Street, Eden Street West, Garrison Field Road, and Plater Way.
All other city centre surface car parks will remain open throughout the event period.
Councillor Ciera Hudspith, cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage at Sunderland City Council, said: "With the August Bank Holiday weekend and Sunderland AFC's first home match of the season also taking place during this period, we're expecting the city to be particularly busy.
"We'd encourage visitors to plan their journeys in advance.
"Make use of public transport where possible and allow extra time for travel so they can enjoy everything the city has to offer."