Music fans told: 'Don't use Highway to Hell'

UK National Highways agency urges heavy metallers not to follow satnav to Download Festival
UTC / June 7, 2022
By Adam Hill
music festival traffic satnav delays © Christian Bertrand | Dreamstime.com
Donington Park: far out - to get closer, just follow the signs (© Christian Bertrand | Dreamstime.com)

Even heavy metal fans need traffic management help sometimes.

This weekend's Download Festival at Donington Park in the UK (10-12 June) is a magnet for thousands of heavy metal fans hoping to see headliners Kiss and Iron Maiden.

But the country's National Highways agency has warned revellers to follow signposted routes - and not their satnav devices.

"When you get within a few miles follow the road signs and the instructions from the organisers rather than your satnav as they will guide you on the correct route to the correct car park," explained National Highways network resilience planner Jamie Tomlin.

"There are changes to the traffic management plan this year so don’t be tempted to follow a previous year’s route."

The event, which is located next to East Midlands Airport, is expected to attract 100,000 people across the three days.

National Highways says it is dispatching extra traffic officer patrols and has worked with the event organisers to keep the roads moving as smoothly as possible.

Major routes in the area including the M1, A42, A50 and A453 are likely to be busy until next Monday.

Electronic message boards on nearby motorways will advise people of any delays.

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