Leeds Festival goers urged to think ahead to avoid traffic woes

The Highways Agency are offering advice to ensure traffic disruption is minimised across the festival period. Early entry tickets are valid from Wednesday.

All routes to the festival will be busier than normal before, during and after the bank holiday weekend, and the main advice is to allow plenty of time to arrive safely.

This year all festival traffic will be directed from the A1(M) at junction 45 (Boston Spa) along West Woods Road and Paradise Way.

An additional route will be available on Thursday – the busiest day for travel – via junction 44, the A1(M)/A64 Bramham Interchange. Traffic will exit here and continue on the A64 westbound towards Leeds on a designated two lane one-way system before turning into the festival car parks opposite the Dogs Trust.

In order to manage this additional route the A64 is being closed to all through eastbound traffic from the Fox and Grapes public house from midnight on Wednesday until 5am on Friday.

Non-festival traffic travelling from York to Leeds on the A64 will continue as normal but drivers should be aware that queues are possible between junction 44 and the Fox and Grapes. They are advised to consider alternatives or to at least allow more time for this section of their journey.

The same applies when festival-goers exit Bramham Park on Monday 26 August. This section will again be heavily congested and is best avoided if possible.

No other routes are available for festival traffic and closures will be in place on other access roads in the area.

The Highways Agency is working with the festival organisers, West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council to minimise delays on the road network. Additional traffic officers will be patrolling the festival traffic routes.

Alternative travel options include trains, coaches and shuttle buses. Festival-goers are encouraged to use public transport where possible because it offers the most convenient, stress-free and eco-friendly option to get there.

Highways Agency emergency planner Guy Huckle said: “Leeds Festival always brings additional traffic into the region and we are urging drivers to be aware that congestion is likely and to allow extra time for their journeys.

“Be prepared to wait, carry drinking water if it is a warm day, be patient and ensure your vehicle is fit for purpose, in particular with plenty of coolant and fuel.

“Remember that all routes to the festival start via the A1(M) and there is strictly no access via any other route. It is pointless checking maps or satnavs for possible shortcuts because they are simply not available.”

Drivers can obtain up-to-the minute travel information by phoning the Highways Agency Information Line on 03000 123 5000, by accessing the website at www.highways.gov.uk or by tuning into a local radio station.

TRAVELLING TO THE LEEDS FESTIVAL:

FROM THE A1/ A1(M) COMING FROM THE NORTH

The route to the festival will be signed from junction 46 southbound

FROM THE A1 COMING FROM THE SOUTH

The route to the festival will be signposted from junction 35 northbound

FROM THE M1 COMING FROM THE SOUTH

The route to the festival will be signposted from junction 32 northbound

FROM THE M62 COMING FROM THE EAST

The route to the festival will be signed from junction 33 westbound

FROM THE M62 COMING FROM THE WEST

The route to the festival will be signed from junction 29 eastbound. Please be aware that there are major roadworks on the M62 between junctions 25 and 29 with narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit, so allow extra time for your journey.

For full travel details please visit the festival website www.leedsfestival.com