Important Travel Information ahead of Armed Forces Day 2025

Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 21 June (10.30am - 5pm) at Ards Airfield and is set to attract thousands of people to the Borough for an action-packed day of fun and spectacular military displays.

Due to the number of anticipated visitors, those planning to attend are advised to carefully plan their journey in advance, allowing plenty of extra time to get there and ensure the day gets off to a smooth start!

Please be aware of the following travel arrangements to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Road Restrictions

8am - 8pm:

• A full road closure will be in place on the Portaferry Road (from the Portaferry Road roundabout to the Old Shore Road) to ensure the safety and integrity of the site.

10.30am - 11.30am approx.:

• Potential rolling road closures will also be in place during the Military Parade from Court Street - South Street - High Street - Castle Street - Portaferry Road.

Throughout the day:

• A single lane closure will be in place to facilitate event shuttle bus access on the Portaferry Road between George's Street and the Portaferry Road roundabout.
• Temporary no-parking zones will be in place in the area.

Please note: To ensure public safety, extensions to road closures may be required at certain periods throughout the day. Please follow diversions that will be in place.

No Public Access Areas : The Floodgates Car Park and the path along the Floodgates to facilities the event: both closed between 8am and 8pm to ensure public safety during aerial displays. 

Parking and Transport

On-site Car Parking at Ards Airfield

If you plan to drive to the event, please ensure that you pre-book an on-site car parking ticket. On-site parking must be pre-booked; capacity is limited and Ts and Cs apply. To find out more and book, go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/AFD25 

Public Transport

Scheduled public transport services will be in operation on the event day. Scheduled bus service(s) to and from Bangor or Newtownards Translink Station, and scheduled train service to and from Bangor Translink Station.

The nearest bus station is in the centre of Newtownards, 33 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD, beside Ards Visitor Information Centre, and it is located approximately a 30-40 minute walk from the event site. For information go to Translink.co.uk.

Temporary Park and Ride and Event Bus Services

A temporary free Park and Ride location will be available at the former NIE site at 31 Balloo Road Bangor BT19 7TN, free event shuttle buses will run between this temporary car park and Ards Airfield.

Additional FREE event shuttle bus services will be in operation from Bangor Translink Bus and Train station and Dundonald Glider Stop, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald (beside Lidl). Those using these services are encouraged to use Translink services - Glider, bus or train to get to these event shuttle bus stops. 

Large numbers of visitors are expected at Armed Forces Day and inevitable travel disruption is expected around Newtownards and particularly the event site. Please allow additional time and consider this when planning onward travel. 

Full details of all the Park and Ride and Event Shuttle Bus services are available at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/AFD25.

On-Water Exclusion Zone - Red Arrows Air Display  

 Mariners are advised that, to facilitate an aerial display by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, an on-water exclusion zone will be established on Strangford Lough in the vicinity of Newtownards Airfield between 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm 

During this period, no vessels are permitted to enter the exclusion zone. The exclusion zone includes all navigable waters, mud flats and foreshore lying north of a line drawn between the following two positions, bounded by the high-water mark. 

Position A: 54°34'08.89"N, 005°41'52.29"W 

Position B: 54°34'24.43"N, 005°39'51.53"W 

This safety measure is required for the duration of the air display. If the exclusion zone is breached at any point, the display will be cancelled immediately. All vessels are required to keep clear and comply with this direction.  

Find out more     bit.ly/AFD_Residents_Businesses_Mariners  

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum commented:

"With just a few days to go until Armed Forces Day, the finishing touches are being made to prepare for this popular event. Due to the high volume of expected visitors, I would encourage everyone to use public transport, car share, pre-book on-site car parking, or use the Free Event Shuttle Buses and Park and Ride services available.  I would also like to ask visitors to please be respectful of residents and businesses if parking in the area.

"Everyone's safety and enjoyment are paramount to us and our partners in the PSNI will be present on the day to help and support this."

Superintendent Johnston McDowell, District Commander of Ards and North Down said:

"In the run up to the event on Saturday 21 June, our teams will be carrying out their wide-reaching checks and searches to ensure the area is safe for those participating in the event and those making their way to Ards Airfield to attend.

"A number of visible measures will be in place on the day, from our Roads Policing teams and officers patrolling on foot, to keep everyone safe and reassured. It is important to know that these teams are there to keep you safe and facilitate enjoyable day of entertainment, stunning aerial displays and live demonstrations.

"Remember, you are our extra eyes and ears, so we ask that you remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to us. If something doesn't seem right, please tell one of our officers or a member of security staff on site. You will always have a unique perspective from what you can see and hear first-hand when amongst the crowds.

"On a practical note, please ensure you allow extra time to get to the event as traffic delays are inevitable, and local diversions will be in place from 8am. There will be an increase in footfall with people entering and leaving the area and public transport is expected to be much busier than usual, so please pre-book on-site car parking or make use of the Event Shuttle buses and Park and Ride facilities which are outlined on the visitardsandnorthdown.com.

"We have a long history of policing these events and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure those attending have a safe and enjoyable time. If you see any of our policing teams while enjoying the event, please come and say hello, they will be more than happy to chat to you."

For more details including the full programme of events, FAQs and Accessibility information visit www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/AFD25