Steps put in place by organisers of Download Festival to prevent last year's road chaos

By Ashby Nub News Reporter 24th Apr 2024

Download 2024 is not expected to cause the same traffic problems. Image: Dreamstime.com
Download 2024 is not expected to cause the same traffic problems. Image: Dreamstime.com

Organisers of Download Festival 2024 have announced new measures to help reduce traffic delays after the chaos surrounding last year's event.

Around 100,000 people attended Download at Donington Park last summer, causing disruption on the surrounding roads and motorways, with up to five hours of tailbacks reported by drivers.

ITV News Central reports that Festival organisers will be introducing new measures this year - including having two arrival days and a new team of traffic co-ordinators.

Music fans flocked to the festival's 20th anniversary in 2023 - many driving on the M1, A50, A42, A38 and A453.

Drivers were warned of "severe congestion" by National Highways with a minimum of two-hour delays - many motorists reported they were stuck for up to five hours.

This year's festival organiser, Jess Shields, said there will be two arrival days, so traffic will be spread out, as well as less than 100,000 expected this time,

An investigation by North West Leicestershire District Council was launched in July last year, following over 200 complaints about traffic and noise from the festival.

It concluded that festival organisers did not breach noise and traffic licence conditions

The tailbacks also caused delays to journeys for those travelling to East Midlands Airport.

A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport said it is working with Download Festival this year on their plans to minimise disruption: "We are liaising with Download organisers around their plans to minimise disruption in the area.

"We would advise anyone coming to the airport that weekend to allow plenty of time to get here and check travel reports and social media for latest advice."

Download Festival 2024 is being held on the June 14-16, with headliners Fall Out Boy, Queens of the Stone Age and Avenged Sevenfold.

     

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