READING Borough Council has laid out its advice and notices for residents and visitors ahead of Reading Festival, which takes place from Friday next week.
As large numbers of people make their way to the town, certain travel and transport measures will be in force, including a new hotline for residents.
Traffic
Residents looking to travel into or around town between Wednesday-Friday, August 23-25, are advised to plan journeys ahead due to high levels of traffic.
The council estimates that this should return to normal levels during Saturday and Sunday, before becoming extremely busy again on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28.
Richfield Avenue will be closed entirely between the junctions of Cardiff Road and Tessa Road from 10.30pm until 1am from Friday-Sunday.
The Thames Path will also be closed between 7pm-6am between Thursday-Monday, August 24-28, including between Scours lane and the end of the Thameside Promenade.
Parking and loading restrictions will be in place around the festival site, especially Richfield Avenue.
The council advises avoiding driving through Cow Lane, Napier Road, and Vastern Road, where temporary traffic measures could be implemented, especially on Banl Holiday Monday, when they will be extremely busy.
Parking
Residents are reminded that certain parking restrictions come into place around the festival site in Richfield Avenue.
Hills Meadow Car Park is the dedicated area for pick-up and drop-off, from which attendees can travel to the site by foot or via the free shuttle boats.
Festival parking is available at Mapledurham and Kings Meadow for those with parking passes.
Those parked at Kings Meadow are also able to use a free boat service to travel to and from the festival site.
Reading Borough Council is working with festival staff and Thames Valley Police to deal with those who cause obstructions or park illegally.
Travel to the site
Train strikes have been announced for Saturday, August 26, which will mean severe disruption for those travellling by rail.
Reading Station will close after 7pm, though the Elizabeth Line services may still be operating, which will particularly effect those with day tickets for Saturday.
Those travelling to the festival grounds from central Reading throughout the weekend can walk direct to the site via the Northern Interchange, or use the taxi rank on the north side of Reading Station.
There is also a dedicated shuttle bus service which will operate from the north side of Reading Station.
Attendees are reminded that they should pre-book private hire vehicles and not hail them from the roadside.
All licensed vehicles will display a Reading Borough Council plate on the back and all drivers should have an identity badge in full view.
Information for Residents/Non-attendees
The new Rivermead Leisure Centre will be closed for normal activity from Wednesday-Tuesday, August 23-29.
Testing of noise levels will once again take place on each day of the festival, including Thursday, under council supervision.
A new hotline has been instated for residents who have feedback or queries during the festival, available from 9am-5pm on Wednesday, August 23, and 24-hours a day from 9am Thursday, August 24, until 3pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
They can also contact: licensing@reading.gov.uk
