ALBION’s Premier League promotion heroes will be honoured on Sunday when they join thousands of fans for an open-top bus parade along the seafront.

The celebration comes after the team just missed out on winning the Championship title last weekend.

Fans will get the chance to show their appreciation to the team, manager Chris Hughton and chairman Tony Bloom for this year’s historic season.

Albion players and coaching staff will travel on the bus from near Brighton Palace Pier to Hove Lawns where they will be presented on a specially erected stage.

The bus will take 90 minutes to reach its destination, giving fans along the route plenty of time to cheer on their heroes.

There will also be a number of large video screens showing live footage along with videos from the season.

As sponsors of the new Premiership team, Brighton Harbour Hotel, in King’s Road, is hosting a VIP area.

The restaurant and hotel is also offering a space for fans to watch the parade outside the front.

Simon Maguire, director of Brighton Harbour Hotel, said: “We are in a great position as the bus will pass on the road right in front of the hotel. I think the atmosphere will be electric and we can’t wait to be a part of such an historic event.”

TIMINGS

THE parade begins at Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, at 5pm, with the bus convoy carrying players, staff, directors and city councillors to Hove Lawns. It is expected to arrive there at around 6.30pm.

Fans are being advised to watch live coverage of the parade on the two large TV screens that will be positioned on either side of the stage in Zone A at Hove Lawns.

The crowd will be kept entertained with live interviews and videos from the season on the big screens.

Those who choose to join the parade at the pier and walk with the bus will be directed into Zone B on arrival at Hove Lawns.

Once the Albion’s players and coaching staff arrive, they will be presented to the crowd on stage.

Fans choosing to watch the event from the screens at Hove Lawns are advised to arrive there no later than 4pm.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CAR PARKS AVAILABLE ON THE DAY

THERE will be a number of road closures on the day with car parks available to visitors outside of the city centre.

Road closures will be in place from 2pm, in Kingsway from Fourth Avenue to West Street.

Grand Avenue will also be restricted to residents’ access only.

There will be rolling road closures on the day.

Those with no choice but to come by car should use car parking to the north of the city, or east and west of the road closures.

Due to road closures, vehicles will not be able to exit from the Lanes car park from 4pm to 6pm.

Fans are being advised to use buses, or cycle or walk in to the city centre to avoid disruptions.

For more information about parking on the day, visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/parking-and-travel.

Additional details about road closures will be published via the club’s Twitter account @bhafc.

GETTING THERE BY TRAIN

SOUTHERN will be providing additional carriages on services.

However, rail bosses have warned passengers to be patient, with long waits expected at Brighton Station throughout the afternoon and evening.

Fans will not be able to get on services from Hove Station between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Instead they will have to make their way to Brighton Station where there will be a colour-coded queuing systems.

Passengers are advised to allow more time for their journeys and to check for more information and train times before they travel, by visiting nationalrail.co.uk.

Southern Rail passenger services director Angie Doll said: “This Sunday, although we will be doubling the number of coaches on all our coastal services, those who do take the train will inevitably experience long waits at the station.”

TRAVELLING BY BUS

BUS routes throughout the city will be affected, with certain routes out of use due to road closures.

Westbound services will divert off the A259 seafront road using Eaton Place, Eastern Road and Edward Street to access the Old Steine.

It is anticipated that there will be heavy congestion in the area throughout the afternoon and evening.

Eastbound services from North Street will continue up St James’s Street and turn right on to Rock Gardens and resume the normal route from the A259.

The City Sightseeing service will be suspended from 2pm and will not resume for the rest of the day.

Supporters are being encouraged to use buses where possible, or walk to gain access to the city centre.

For more information and to see up to date information on services visit buses.co.uk.

HOVE LAWNS ZONES

FANS choosing to remain at Hove Lawns to watch the parade on the screens ahead of the players’ arrival are strongly advised to arrive before 4pm.

Those entering Zone A will be restricted to four alcoholic drinks per adult and no glass bottles or chairs will be allowed in this area.

Organisers have banned the use of flares anywhere on site or on the parade route and any individuals found to be in possession will potentially face arrest and a ban by the club.

There will also be a disabled viewing area in Zone A.

Bag searches will take place on entry to Zone A to speed up your entry.

Those wishing to sit throughout the event are advised to bring their own chairs and to use Zone B or C.