Key Isle of Wight Festival Traffic Information
The Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads and Hampshire Constabulary are once again working closely with the organisers of this year’s Isle of Wight Festival to ensure traffic flows smoothly and disruption is minimised before, during and following the world famous music event.
The council and partner agencies have approved the traffic management plans submitted by the event organisers, covering areas such as event car parks, separating Red Funnel and Wightlink traffic and measures to ensure close co-ordination between partners.
The plan is designed to ensure disruption to local traffic is kept to a minimum, although some delays are inevitable with the increased levels of traffic on the roads.
The main route for festival traffic from the Red Funnel terminal at East Cowes will be up York Avenue and along Whippingham Road where it will turn right onto East Cowes Road and into the red festival car park. As a contingency, if there are any substantial hold ups on the Whippingham Road, festival traffic will be turned left onto Alverstone Road, where it can be temporarily ‘stacked’ and released into the network when the roads to the festival site are less busy.
Festival-bound vehicles travelling from the Wightlink terminal at Fishbourne will be directed to the right on to Kite Hill, through Wootton, up Lushington Hill and right at the Racecourse roundabout and then left into the appropriate festival car park.
If any of the entrances to the car parks are temporarily blocked, or an incident occurs on any of the roads being used by festival traffic, there are a number of alternative options that can be considered by the event organisers; the council has also arranged alternative parking facilities so that traffic can be diverted off the network if necessary.
Island Roads will be keeping residents up to date with routine traffic information and details of road closures and diversions, while the council will provide updates about those council services affected by the festival. Hampshire Constabulary will provide security and safety updates. Messages will be shared via social media and local media.
The council would like to remind people that the one way system along Fairlee Road, Newport will be put in place from lunchtime on Wednesday 8 June. Full details can be found on the council’s website.
Councillor Shirley Smart, Executive member for economy and tourism, said: “As in previous years, we have been working alongside the event organisers and partner agencies to ensure the event and related issues proceed smoothly. I would like to particularly thank all those who have put a great deal of time and effort into ensuring all the plans and organisation is in place – and the many volunteers and others who will assist around the event.
”Throughout the festival, Newport will be open for business as usual, and I would strongly encourage members of the public to support local shops and other businesses during the event.”
Residents meanwhile are encouraged to look at the dedicated festival pages on iwight.com, which contain important information about the road closures and diversions, including access to Seaclose Park and changes to council services.
Residents are also reminded to plan their routes to avoid the designated festival traffic routes on the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday of the event - when traffic volumes will be their highest.
Maps, festival related and travel information can be found on the council’s website at www.iwight.com/iwfestival