Hardshoulder running could be introduced on two motorways around Wolverhampton during this year’s V Festival in a bid to avoid nightmare traffic jams which have caused misery for motorists in years gone by.

Highways chiefs have announced drivers may be allowed to use the hard shoulder of the M6 and M54 to avoid a repeat of last year’s jams during the two-day extravaganza, which saw some fans queuing for more than seven hours.

Festival bosses are also preparing to open the gates of Weston Park 24 hours earlier than normal so fans can spread out their arrivals to Weston Park.

Highways Agency bosses have announced that a variety of measures will be introduced to ease congestion as more than 80,000 people flock to the site for the concert, which runs on August 16 and 17.

Drivers would be able to use the hardshoulder of the Southbound carriageway of the M6 at junction 12 from August 14.

The hardshoulder of the Westbound carriageway of the M54 would also be put in use for motorists from junctions 2 to 3. Anthony Aston, Highways Agency spokesman, said: “Using the hard should isn’t something we would do at first. It would be a last resort.”