Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Advice for drivers travelling to Royal Ascot at York, June 14 to 18

HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (YH/179/05) issued by the Government News Network on 9 June 2005

Drivers are advised that the A64 and other roads around York will be busy from June 14 to 18 when the Royal Ascot at York event takes place at the city's racecourse on the Knavesmire.

Up to 56,000 people are expected to travel to and from the event each day, many arriving by car and coach. The Highways Agency has been working closely with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police to ensure journeys run as smoothly as possible, but with such high volumes of traffic, drivers are being warned to allow extra time for their journeys or to avoid travelling in the busiest periods if they can.

The A64 will be the main "gateway" to the Knavesmire for road traffic. A network of temporary signs will direct race traffic to the A64 from the A1, A1(M), M62 and A19.

All non-race traffic heading to York during Ascot is advised to avoid the A64 and to use the A19 and A59 as an alternative route.

Incident Support Unit vehicles from the Highways Agency will be patrolling the A64 to help monitor traffic and deal with any incidents.

Information about suggested routes and up to date travel information will appear on the Highways Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfoor phone the 24 hour voice activated service on 08700 660 115.

Highways Agency project manager Andrew Brown said:

"Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the racing calendar and thousands of people are expected at the York event."

"Trunk roads and motorways around York - particularly the A64 - will be busy throughout the mornings as traffic heads to the racecourse, and again from late afternoon when racegoers return home. We are advising all non-race traffic to avoid the A64 if possible and everyone should allow more time for their journeys."

Many racegoers are expected to travel from the North East. The recommended racecourse routes are particularly important for people travelling from that direction . All North East racegoers will be signed onto the A1 (M) and A64, rather than the A19.

ROADWORKS INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS - ROYAL ASCOT AT YORK
JUNE 14 TO 18

M50 - Junction 1 to Junction 2
Nearest town: Ledbury, Herefordshire
24 hour lane 2 closures with 40mph speed limit for structural repairs
Slight delays

A46 - M40 Junction 15 to M5 junction 9
Nearest town: Warwick (M40) and Tewkesbury (M5)
Daily (0930 - 1530) lane 1 closures at various locations for renewal of roadmarkings
Slight delays

A1 Selby, Fairburn to Hook Moor
Nearest town: Selby
County: West and North Yorkshire
Construction of new A1(M) motorway - 50mph - narrow lanes and north and southbound lane 1 closed - slight delays

A1M Junctions 63 to 65 Washington and Portobello footbridges
Nearest town: Washington
County: Tyne & Wear
(overbridge) pier replacement - southbound carriageway - 50mph - lane 3 closed - narrow lanes - hardshoulder opened to maintain normal number of running lanes - slight delays

M62 Pontefract, Junction 32 to 33
Nearest town: Pontefract
County: West Yorkshire
Construction of new A1(M)/M62 Interchange - 50mph - narrow lanes- hardshoulder running - slight delays

M1 Sheffield, Tinsley Viaduct (M1 Junction 34)
Nearest town: Sheffield
County: South Yorkshire
Parapet replacement - 50mph - nil to slight delays

M60 Manchester Junctions 5 to 8 widening
Nearest town: Sale, Manchester
County: Greater Manchester
40mph narrow lanes at various locations both clockwise and anticlockwise - contraflow at Junction 8 and at Junction 6 - hardshoulder running at various locations - moderate delays possible

M60 Prestwich, Manchester, Jct 17-18
Nearest town: Prestwich, Manchester
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1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport.
2. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
3. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more ).
4. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 . (Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more. Service operates: 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends.)

5. Safe driving at roadworks

   During 2003 and 2004 , three road workers were killed and 27 seriously injured in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.

   Drivers approaching roadworks are advised to:

   • Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
   • Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.
   • Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
   • Be alert for works traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
   • Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
   • Observe all signs - they are there to help you.

Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by GNN Yorkshire and Humber

Media enquiries out of hours can be made to 0207 081 7443. All other enquiries about the Highways Agency, its role and responsibilities, should be made through the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30.