MAP: Residents are being reminded of key routes between the Island’s ferry ports and the Bestival site, which are expected to be particularly busy on Thursday and Monday with Bestival 2014 nearly upon us.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to travel to the music festival which takes place at Robin Hill Country Park near Newport this weekend.
A map has been produced showing the key routes for Bestival traffic and designated car parks. Residents are urged to avoid these routes if possible, and the roads around Robin Hill Country Park as they are expected to be busy during the event.
Residents are also reminded that Rowlands Lane, Havenstreet will become a one way system from 18:00 tomorrow (Wednesday) when traffic will only be able to travel in a southbound direction from the Havenstreet Main Road junction to the Downs Road. This arrangement will remain in place until approximately 22:00 on Sunday, when the one way system will be reversed and traffic will flow from the Downs Road to the Havenstreet Main Road junction.
Residents living along this route have been informed of the arrangements, as well as changes to their waste collections. The road is due to return to a two-way flow from approximately 18:00 on Monday 8th September.
There will also be restrictions to public footpaths and bridleways close to the Bestival site during the event, and a 30mph speed limit will also be in force on roads leading to and outside the site for safety reasons.
To help with Bestival traffic leaving the Island by the Red Funnel car ferry in East Cowes, Beatrice Avenue will be a ‘no waiting at any time’ zone and will also become a one-way system from approximately 05:00 until midnight on Monday to help reduce congestion. In Binstead, from 05:00 on Thursday until 22:00 on Monday, ‘no waiting at any time’ zones will be in force along Newnham Road.
Motorists are also being advised that to assist in the free flow of traffic along key routes, vehicles illegally parked on roads designated and signed as ‘clearways’ will be towed away.
The council has also set up a dedicated 24-hour telephone line during the event for people to contact the council with queries or complaints relating to the event – (01983) 823426.
John Metcalfe, head of economy and tourism at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We are working with the event organisers and partner agencies to keep traffic disruption to a minimum as we welcome thousands of visitors to the Island.
“Thursday, Friday and Monday are expected to be the busiest days in terms of traffic, so we would advise residents to avoid the designated routes and roads around Robin Hill on these days if possible.”
Throughout the event Island Echo will be providing information for residents via social media (www.twitter.com/islandecho) and right here on the website, as well as all the latest from within the Bestival site including comprehensive photography and much more.
