Swindon's Big Weekend could be a traffic nightmare (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Swindon's Big Weekend could be a traffic nightmare
8:43am Wednesday 1st April 2009 in
THE biggest weekend in Swindon’s social calendar could turn into the biggest traffic nightmare the town has ever seen.
The Adver has learnt that major roadworks on the M4 motorway are scheduled to close junction 16, the West Swindon exit, at exactly the same time as the BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend comes to town.
The junction would be closed from mid-evening on Saturday, May 9, to 10am on Sunday, May 10, to allow the new bridge at South Leaze to be lifted into place.
The scenario could lead to horrendous tail-backs as 20,000 concert goers struggle to exit Lydiard Park.
The Highways Agency and Swindon Council are working to find a solution to the problem, but with only five weeks left until the flagship music event, time is running out fast.
It could lead to Wootton Bassett becoming the main route into Swindon for hordes of music fans, particularly if traffic is diverted off the M4 at junction 17.
The town’s mayor, Mike Leighfield, said it was the first he had heard of the plans, but that he would be seeking to ensure that Wootton Bassett did not become a rat run.
He said: “This would be a catastrophe for the town. It would leave us completely gridlocked.
“Our ordinary shoppers would not be able to get to the car parks. And what would happen if there was a repatriation that day?
“People coming from outside the town wouldn’t know where they were going and we would see the High Street absolutely jammed. It would be an absolute fiasco.”
It is now a race against time for Swindon Council and the Highways Agency to switch the work to another weekend or face a spanner in the works of the much trumpeted event.
Robin Miller, from the Highways Agency, said: “The junction is scheduled to close on May 9 and 10 to lift the new bridge into place at South Leaze. We are in negotiations with Swindon Council at the moment to look at alternative weekends.”
Gavin Calthrop, Swindon Council’s head of communications, said: “We are in discussions with the Highways Agency about that weekend and are actively looking for a solution.”
The BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend has been a major success story for Swindon, with claims that it could bring up to £1.5m into the local economy.
The Adver broke the story exclusively back in November, when we announced that one of the BBC’s biggest annual music event could be coming to Lydiard Park.
The official confirmation came two weeks ago when Radio One star, Chris Moyles broadcast live from Swindon, announcing that Snow Patrol and N-Dubz would be among the stars.
More big names and details of the event are set to be announced in the next week.
Comments(21)
JH666
says...
10:46am Wed 1 Apr 09
I don't think this will affect Wooton Bassett as badly as he makes out.
Security word "that-weak" just about sums it up really!!
Big Mac
says...
10:51am Wed 1 Apr 09
They're hardly going to turn down the opportunity to bring the R1 Big Weekend to Swindon just because the M4 is being worked on/closed.
Anyone who uses the M4 regularly will know that there hasn't been a single day in the past 10 years that there hasn't been some roadworks, lane closures or speed limited sections on it. It's par for the course. I doubt anyone can remember a time they were last able to get from Swindon to London on the M4 at 70mph all the way.
Sure, this junction closure will be a headache, but I'm lead to believe there will be no on-site car parking at the event in any case and the vast majority of people attending the event will be from within Swindon itself, so they'll have little or no need to use Junction 16.
The real problem areas are going to be the tiny roundabout at the Link Centre/Pizza Hut corner by Shaw Ridge (which doesn't even function well during normal traffic flow) and Mannington Roundabout (which, again, barely works at the best of times).
One would hope that shuttle buses are going to be laid on and that the majority of West Swindon residents will walk to the event.
Also, the Adver report is seriously misleading in one major regard.
It claims:
"The scenario could lead to horrendous tail-backs as 20,000 concert goers struggle to exit Lydiard Park."
Whilst it's true that 20,000 people will attend each day, ticket winners receive 2 tickets each - meaning that most people will be attending in couples and it's obvious that many people will end up going in groups of four.
So it is not as if 20,000 individuals will all be trying to leave at the same time in their own cars. Far from it.
In fact, when you actually look at the bigger picture, I doubt very much that Junction 16 would see many more cars on the weekend of the Big Weekend than it does on a regular Friday evening rush hour - quite possibly less.
IRofE
says...
10:57am Wed 1 Apr 09
Again demonstrated!
Repeating myself again: kids playing simcity have better planning and organisation skills than any professional Swindon town planner!
are u mad
says...
11:00am Wed 1 Apr 09
Tofik Bakhramov
says...
12:40pm Wed 1 Apr 09
IRofE wrote:The only this that has been demonstrated again is that you are an intolerant person who thinks that you could do better than everyone else. I bet you have never tried to prove it though. So much easier to maon about others.
I already said that the SBC do not see further than its nose. Again demonstrated! Repeating myself again: kids playing simcity have better planning and organisation skills than any professional Swindon town planner!
IRofE
says...
12:56pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Tofik Bakhramov wrote:I am in fact very tolerant especially to other people stupidity, be it coming from the SBC, Gordon, or people like you.
IRofE wrote: I already said that the SBC do not see further than its nose. Again demonstrated! Repeating myself again: kids playing simcity have better planning and organisation skills than any professional Swindon town planner!The only this that has been demonstrated again is that you are an intolerant person who thinks that you could do better than everyone else. I bet you have never tried to prove it though. So much easier to maon about others.
However, I tend to disapprove the way stupid people spend my hard earn cash, for their own benefit or in dead end projects.
Yes I moan: thats my right, you might not like it, it doesn't me intolerant to have a different opinion.
YOU ARE THE INTOLERANT!
Ems78
says...
1:33pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Tofik Bakhramov
says...
1:49pm Wed 1 Apr 09
IRofE
says...
2:02pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Tofik Bakhramov wrote:Well maybe in Azerkistan, they have failed to mention the Romans and how their little trick of keeping the crowds entertained with games etc... to take their focus away from their absolute decadence and corruption.
Ha ha IRofE, I am not intolerant. I beleive you have a perfect right to moan which is why I love England more than Azerbaijan. I still do not see why you hate this concert so much. It is not a waste of money, it will cheer people up in the bad times. And I have yet to see you say anything positive. Maybe you have, but I have missed it.
Thats a meaningful historical allegory.
Chose your crowd.....
Big Mac
says...
3:24pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Precisely nothing.
Frankly, until people change their voting habits, we'll be shafted every which way whatever we do, so let's at least look to these types of events as something enjoyable for many people.
As it stands, until June 2010 at the earliest, the choice is:
1. Crap with the odd distraction
or
2. Crap
I'd take option 1 every time.
IRofE
says...
4:33pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Big Mac wrote:I have my ideas on the subject, in fact, the problem with the UK democracy is that in fact there is very little conterbalance of Powers.
So, IRofE, what do you *honestly* think would change if the powers that be took away our 'games etc'? Precisely nothing. Frankly, until people change their voting habits, we'll be shafted every which way whatever we do, so let's at least look to these types of events as something enjoyable for many people. As it stands, until June 2010 at the earliest, the choice is: 1. Crap with the odd distraction or 2. Crap I'd take option 1 every time.
The Queen is a lame duck,
The House of Lords is utterly useless and ploutocratic to the extreme
Our jutice system having a mind of its own, serving more the "Law" than the good of the community.
We need an ELECTED Head of State capable of fighting off the Prime Minister on strategic and National decisions
We need an ELECTED Second Chamber capable of blocking, amending bills
thirdly we need a justice system that is answerable to the community it should be serving, with elected judges, removable after their term in office
Thats Democracy and thats how it should be working.
WE NEED AN OVERALL CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE: Revolution if necessary.
Tofik Bakhramov
says...
4:33pm Wed 1 Apr 09
swindonmum
says...
4:41pm Wed 1 Apr 09
I imagine the plans for the motorway were in place a long time before Radio One announced their location.
Amberflame
says...
7:46pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Ems78 wrote:Thought is was also, but seems the 'toast story' is the April Fools.
I am hoping this is their April Fool
SBC obviously never thought they had a chance of getting the Big Weekend, so didn't speak to the Highways Agency sooner!
Surely this road closure has been planned for some time?
faatmaan
says...
7:46pm Wed 1 Apr 09
Geoff Reid
says...
10:07pm Wed 1 Apr 09
...but yes it's a blip. but better to realise it 5 weeks in advance than suffer a massive sphincter clenching moment the day before the event.
I'm resigned to leaving my car at home all weekend and having to walk the 300 yards to Lydiard, (provided I get tickets in the lottery). How on earth will I cope? - With a grin on my face and a beer in my hand, that's how!
It will be made even sweeter knowing that some of you miserable twits hate the very idea that 20,000 locals will be enjoying themselves alongside another 20,000 visitors to Swindon who, (thankfully), are unlikely to ever read the Victor Meldrew-like and miserable-old-sod opinions published by Swindons 'finest intellects'.
Purlieu
says...
12:50pm Thu 2 Apr 09
Bob Wright
says...
11:33pm Sat 4 Apr 09
Bob Wright
says...
11:33pm Sat 4 Apr 09
onefortheroad
says...
1:52pm Mon 6 Apr 09
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The M4 is set to be shut overnight during Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swindon
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Janais is back says...
10:24am Wed 1 Apr 09
Inefficient SBC yet again - what were the event's planners thinking about - obviously not about the other factors that could impact on the event.
Obviously failed to check with other agencies - and how much do the individuals get paid from my Council Tax?