READING Borough Council has laid out traffic and safety information to residents and visitors as Reading Festival approaches.
The festival, set to take place next weekend (August 22-25), which more than 100,000 people will attend across the four-day event.
It means that roads in Reading will see closures and diversions, with changes to taxis and public transport.
Parking
Reading Borough Council will put a number of temporary parking restrictions in place around Richfield Avenue during the festival and advises motorists to avoid the area as much as possible to reduce congestion.
Hills Meadow Car Park (RG4 8DH) is the designated drop-off and pick-up zone for attendees, with free shuttle boats available to and from the festival site.
Festival parking is also available at Mapledurham and Kings meadow for parking pass holders, with a pedestrian bridge linking the site and Mapledurham.
A free boat service also connects the site and Kings Meadow, though attendees are reminded to look out for any illegal or unregulated boats operating and advised to avoid using them.
TrafficResidents are reminded that the festival will mean a considerable increase in traffic in Reading, especially close to the festival site.
Those planning to travel into or around the town centre are being advised that travel times may be longer between Wednesday and Friday, August 21-23, and especially on Thursday, August 22, and Bank Holiday Monday, August 26.
Traffic levels are expected to be closer to normal during Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25, though shops and supermarkets will still see increased levels of traffic.
The council is also once again closing the Thames Path during the night (7pm-6am) between Thursday-Monday, August 22-26, between Scours Lane and the far end of the Thames Promenade.
Richfeild Avenue will be closed between Cardiff Road and Tessa Road junctions from 10.30pm until 1am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the festival weekend.
There is also a contingency exit route via the eastbound junction with Caversham Road, but no access.
This makes leaving the site easier for around 20,000 attendees with day tickets.
The Napier Road and Vastern Road roundabout will be particularly busy during Bank Holiday Monday (August 26), and could be subject to temporary traffic management if required.
The council has said that the northbound closure of Cow Lane between Portman Road and Cardiff Road is also likely to be re-instated, and would take effect between 8am-3pm, also on Bank Holiday Monday.
There will be enforced parking and loading restrictions in place around the festival site, particularly along Richfield Avenue, so guests are urged to follow the borough-wide signage to the designated areas.
Travel to the festival
Those travelling to the site on foot from the train station are recommended to exit the station from the north side, though the footpath linking the north and south sides of the station will be in operation.
Taxis are also available for hire next to the station, as well as designated shuttle buses which will depart from the station’s north side.
A temporary taxi rank will be put in place in Tessa Road, opposite Rivermead Leisure Centre, as another transport option.
Private hire vehicles should be booked in advance, with the council reminding users that it is illegal to 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.
Attendees are reminded not to use private land for temporary parking or pick-up without express permission from landowners, which could incur fines or legal recourse.
Personal Safety
The council has also flagged advice and signposts for relevant services regarding personal safety while attending the event.
This includes advice for emergency situations, maintaining wellbeing and safeguards, medical and health assistance, and drug and alcohol policies.
Full safety information is available via: readingfestival.com/information-category/personal-safety
Noise and Facilities
Rivermead Leisure Centre will be closed from Wednesday-Tuesday, August 21-27.
Sound testing will take place throughout the festival under the direct supervision of council officers, including Thursday evening and each day of the festival.
The council has once again set up a hotline to field comments and queries during the festival, which is available from 9am-5pm on Wednesday (August 21), and 24 hours a day from Thursday to Sunday, August 22-25.
The hotline is available by calling: 020 8080 1518
Residents can also email: ReadingFestivalHotline@reading.gov.uk
