V Festival 2017: Drivers urged to plan ahead as thousands head to Weston Park
Drivers are urged to plan ahead as tens of thousands of music fans head to V Festival this weekend.
Highways England says it is doing its best to make journeys as smooth as possible.
Festival-goers and motorists are being advised to plan ahead as more than 70,000 people make their way to Weston Park on the border of Shropshire and Staffordshire.
David Patmore, assistant emergency planning officer at Highways England, said: “Months ahead of the festival, we work hard alongside event organisers, the police and other partners, using our expertise in handling traffic to help ensure festival-goers have a trouble-free journey to kick off their weekend of fun.
“We strongly advise festival-goers and road users in the area to plan ahead, ensure vehicles have sufficient fuel, and to have plenty of drinks, such as water, available in the vehicle in case of any delays.”
Signs will direct festival traffic on different routes depending on which direction people are arriving from.
Traffic is also expected to be busy in the same areas on Monday morning as people head home from the festival.
The campsite opens at noon on Friday and traffic is expected to be busier in the area throughout the weekend.
Mr Patmore added: “The M5 will be operating a contra-flow system between junctions one and two with 30mph speed restrictions implemented because of the Oldbury renewal scheme.
“There may be some issues around junction six of the M6 with the ongoing repair scheme on the A38(m) with local traffic busy around junctions five and seven.
“Therefore the M5 will be very busy for those heading to and leaving the event from the south west – so they need to pick their travel time very carefully to avoid delays or perhaps even find an alternative route as far south as Worcester or the M50 to the A49 and head onto the A5.
“Those travelling from the south should use junction 10a of the M6 and then to travel onto the M54 towards the venue.
“Using the M54 to junction three from the south is the best way into the festival and attendees can be off the motorway and parked up in less than 20 minutes. Those travelling from the north should use junction 12 of the M6.”
Staffordshire Police said it was also working with Highways England to ensure visitors travelling to the event do so with minimal delays and disruption.
Police spokesman Mike Lowe added: “Please take care on your journey and stay safe.”
“For the latest updates and travel advice, please search for Highways England and our dedicated Twitter account for the event @vfestpolice.”
