Drivers have been warned to expect heavy congestion around the Leeds Festival site over the Bank Holiday weekend. More than 90,000 people are due to attend the event at Bramham Park and several roads nearby will be closed. National Highways cautioned ticket-holders to allow plenty of time for their journeys and other motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
Operations manager Dave Skupski warned drivers not to underestimate how busy the roads would be. He said: “Leeds Festival has the second biggest impact on traffic on our network after the British Grand Prix. Our message to anyone heading to the festival or using those key routes around Leeds over the weekend is to plan your journey, check traffic conditions before setting out and give yourself plenty of time. Follow the signs, and don’t rely on your satnavs.”
The M1, A1(M) and A64 around Leeds are expected to be especially busy as Bramham Park is close to the A1/A64 interchange. Road closures will be in place at points on the A64, A1M and local roads. Some roads will be subject to 30mph speed limits and bans on U-turns. The busiest times are expected to be around 23:00 BST on Sunday and 02:00 BST on Bank Holiday Monday, and then from 08:00 BST to 14:00 BST later that day.
Mr Skupski added: “If you’re not planning to attend, please make sure you allow extra time if you’re travelling around this area. If possible, avoid the expected peak festival arrival and departure times.” There will also be footpath closures through the Bramham Park Estate and along Mangrill Lane bridleway. Residents living within the affected areas should have received a road closure pass in the post.
The festival is expected to bring significant traffic congestion to the region. National Highways has advised motorists to plan their journeys in advance and avoid relying on sat navs, as many roads will be closed or have one-way systems. The agency has warned that drivers should expect delays on major routes around Leeds, particularly on the M1, A1(M), and A64. The A64, A1 M and local roads are all set to be shut with some roads subject to 30mph speed limits and bans on U-turns. Motorists not attending the event should avoid the likely congested roads, particularly from 11pm on Sunday, 2am on Bank Holiday, and from 8am, to 2pm later that day, when traffic is expected to be at its peak.
To help manage the influx of festival-goers, National Highways has implemented a color-coded one-way system for traffic entering the festival grounds. Those arriving from the south will follow the brown route, while those coming from the north will follow the white route. A dedicated red route is also in place for drop-offs and pick-ups. The agency has also urged locals to use alternative routes to avoid the A1(M) during peak hours.
With the festival coinciding with the bank holiday weekend, traffic congestion is expected to be particularly heavy. The RAC has predicted that this will be the worst bank holiday weekend for traffic in nearly a decade. Those traveling to or through the Leeds area are advised to be prepared for significant delays and allow ample time for their journeys.
