North West drivers urged ‘Look out for Bikes’ during TT races
Drivers across the North West are being reminded to ‘Look out for Bikes’ over the next few weeks - as thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts pass through the region on their way to Isle of Man TT races.
Highways England will be using its network of electronic variable message signs (VMSs) up and down the region’s motorway network to urge drivers to be extra vigilant over the next few weeks and help cut accidents and injuries involving bikers travelling to and back home from the races – most of them getting ferries to the Isle of Man from Heysham and Liverpool.
This year’s festival of events will be taking place between Saturday (30 May) and Friday 12 June with race week itself starting on Saturday 6 June. Some 14,000 bikers are already booked on ferry crossings from the North West to the Isle of Man.
With potentially tens of thousands of riders and passengers travelling through the region over the next few weeks the ‘Look out for Bikes’ signs are being displayed on VMSs along key routes to Heysham and Liverpool including the M6, M62 and M61. Signs will start to appear from tomorrow (Thursday 28 May) and continue until Monday 15 June.
Stuart Lovatt, Highways England’s head of road safety, said:
A significant number of TT enthusiasts will be travelling through the area as motorcycle riders and pillion passengers.
Many will not know our roads and our message to drivers is please consider how vulnerable people are on motorcycles and take a moment to look twice at every turn, every lane change and every junction. We would ask motorcycle riders to be considerate in return, plan your route and blend with the local traffic to keep everyone moving safely.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.