Highways to tackle Leeds Festival jams

AUGUST 2003:
Leeds Festival traffic problems on the A64 Outer Ring Road at Seacroft. — AUGUST 2003: Leeds Festival traffic problems on the A64 Outer Ring Road at Seacroft.

Highways England has put out warnings and advice to drivers as thousands of music fans prepare to travel to and from the Bramham Park venue.

Drivers are advised that motorways and major A roads leading to the Leeds Festival site are likely to be busy between August 26 and 28. Increased levels of traffic are also expected on Monday, August 31 as people leave the festival.

Festival traffic will use the A1(M) to junction 44, the A1M/A64 Bramham Interchange, where traffic will exit and continue on the westbound A64 towards Leeds. Traffic will be using both lanes on a one-way system on the A64 and will turn right into the Festival car parks.

To manage this additional route, the A64 is being closed to all through traffic travelling eastbound from midnight on Wednesday, August 26, all day Thursday, August 27 and until 5am on Friday, August 28.

Traffic travelling from York to Leeds on the A64 will continue as normal but drivers should be aware that queues are likely on the A1(M) at junction 44, the Bramham Interchange.

Non-festival traffic is advised to consider alternative routes or allow more time for their journey.

Andrew Charnick, emergency planning manager for Highways England in Yorkshire, said: “We will be doing all we can to alleviate congestion on the major routes to the event to keep traffic flowing, even so it will be busier than normal in this area over the festival weekend.

“We have a lot of experience of handling events like this and have tried and tested systems in place. We work with our emergency service colleagues and the event organisers to ensure those heading for the events get there with minimum fuss and delays.”

Live traffic information can be found at www.trafficengland.com

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TRAVEL OPTIONS TO LEEDS FESTIVAL

BY SHUTTLE BUS: Leeds Railway Station is a 30-minute drive from the festival site. There will be a shuttle bus service from the city centre to the site. See www.leedsfestbuses.co.uk for ticket details.

BY CAR: Bramham Park, Wetherby, off the A1(M) and A64. Following the festival signs from the motorway network.

BY COACH: National Express will again be providing services from all over the UK direct to the festival.

PARKING: Car parking is in fields adjacent to the campsites. Parking is included in the price of a ticket. More at www.leedsfestival.com.