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British Grand Prix 2008 - A43 Closure
The British Grand Prix Inter Agency Group is working to keep traffic disruption and delays to a minimum over the weekend of the 2008 British Grand Prix.
The group includes the Highways Agency, Silverstone Circuits Ltd, Northamptonshire County Council, South Northamptonshire Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Northamptonshire Police and the Government Office for the East Midlands. We have been working together for over six years and hope that our continued partnership will help keep traffic moving over the Grand Prix weekend.
We hope this web page is helpful in highlighting the diversion routes and helping you plan your journey throughout the event.
Which roads are closed?
The A43 between M1 Junction 15a in Northamptonshire and M40 Junction 10 in Oxfordshire will be closed to through traffic on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July for the 2008 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Why a closure?
We are expecting a high increase in race traffic so we need to close the A43 during the event on the A43. The decision has been made to not only benefit race-goers but also for the safety and convenience of non-Silverstone traffic, so that people are not being held up by vehicles heading to the circuit.
Where are the diversion routes?
On all three days, non-race traffic will be diverted along the A508, A422 and A421, or vice versa (see map). However, since this route is mainly single-carriageway, we would encourage drivers to use alternative motorway and dual carriageway routes for long distance travel, where possible.
Local drivers will have access between the M1 J15a and Towcester, and between Brackley and the Welsh Lane interchange. However, the section between Towcester and Welsh Lane will only be available for those going to the British Grand Prix. We will be using our Highways Agency electronic message signs and temporary information signs at strategic points on our road network to inform people when the road is closed, so that drivers can easily change to an alternative route.
Further Information
For real time traffic information:
- 08700 660 115
- www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
(Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
For general Highways Agency information:
- 08457 50 40 30
- email: ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
(Calls from BT landlines to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 4p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
Police Traffic Management Information:
Silverstone Circuit Information:



