Press release

Reading Festival Advice for Drivers

Drivers travelling on motorways and major A roads leading to the Reading Festival site are advised to plan their journeys this week (24 – 26 August).

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Drivers are advised that motorways and major A roads leading to the Reading Festival site at Richfield Avenue are likely to be busy this week (24 – 26 August) as music fans make their way to the site.

Increased levels of traffic are also expected on Monday 29 August as people leave the Festival.

Festival traffic will use the M4 to junctions 11 and 12, the M3 to junction 6 and the M40 to junction 9 and use local access roads to the site.

The busiest day for festival traffic will be Thursday 25 August.

Non-festival traffic is advised to consider alternative routes or allow more time for their journey.

Emergency planning manager for Highways England in the South East, Oliver Brown said:

Highways England will be doing all we can to alleviate congestion on the major routes to the event to keep traffic flowing, even so it will be busier than normal in this area over the festival weekend.

We have a lot of experience of handling events like this and have tried and tested systems in place. We work with our emergency service colleagues and the event organisers to ensure those heading for the events get there with minimum fuss and delays.

Drivers are advised to plan and check their travel routes in advance, and to keep up-to-date with the latest road conditions.

Highways England will use its electronic message signs on approaching motorways to give drivers information about any diversions and delays, and provide up-to-the minute traffic information via local radio and our website.

Further information, including travel updates, can be found on the Reading Festival website.

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.

Published 22 August 2016