Roads closed and parking banned to avoid gridlock at Radio 1 bid weekend

8:00am Saturday 18th April 2009

By Sarah Hilley

MUCH of West Swindon will be a no-go zone for drivers for the May 9 and 10 Big Weekend.

As Lydiard Park opens its gates to 40,000 music lovers, a number of streets will be shut to all but residents and shuttle buses.

Thirty-eight double decker buses will take lucky ticket holders from six designated park and ride sites in the town.

And AA marshalls will be policing traffic and cracking down on illegal parking in West Swindon.

“If a car parks on someone’s drive it will be towed away immediately,” said Coun Phil Young, Swindon Council’s lead cabinet member for culture. “There will be key road closures to make sure none of the concert bound traffic goes into The Prinnels and Grange Park.

“We want people to remember the event for the fun they have had and not traffic jams.”

Swindon Council is blocking off all routes, which could be used to get to the park.

Parts of Whitehill Way, Hook Street, Hay Lane and Worsley Road will be closed on both days with marshalls only allowing access to park and ride buses, residents and emergency services.

Twelve other roads in The Prinnels will be closed to drivers apart from residents.

Every home close to Lydiard Park will get a leaflet telling them what is happening.

Park and Ride buses will operate from car parks in Carlton Street, Spring Gardens, North Star, Queenstown and the County Ground. They will be closed to normal business.

“Everyone in the town can get to the event by bus,” said Coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member fo transport. “People can also walk and cycle to the event.

“We believe people attending from Swindon will be sensible and follow the directions they are given.

“It is a logistical challenge. Now we are just hoping for fantastic weather to add to the sense of occasion.”

Special permits will be issued to residents of Bess Road, King Henry Drive, Sheen Close, Lumley Close, Paulet Close, Clinton Close, Volpe Close, Audley Close, Loughborough Close, Sidney Close, Hillyard Close and Heytsbury Gardens. Wardens will be checking to make sure people who don’t live there can’t park on them.

There will be no waiting on parts of Tewkesbury Way, Tregoze Way, Whitehill Way, Hay Lane and Grange Park Way.