Glastonbury Festival: RAC issues warning to drivers
The motoring organisation are urging drivers not to rely on their sat navs to get to Worthy Farm
As the countdown to Glastonbury festival begins, motoring organisation the RAC are urging drivers to ignore their sat navs and use the official signs to get to Worthy Farm.
It's as warnings are put in place for hot weather, busy traffic and delays on the M5 and the A303 are all expected.
In light of Shania Twain taking the iconic 'Legends Slot' on the Sunday, the RAC say traffic ‘Don’t Impress Me Much’ - as more than 200,000 people are expected to descend on the site over the next few days.
They say that whilst major roads such as the M5 and A303 will be far busier than normal, routes approaching the festival site at Pilton in Somerset are likely to be 'gridlocked'.
Amid the long delays, they also say the hot weather makes it more likely there'll be more breakdowns too.
The company is advising drivers not to travel tired, to be prepared for delays by carrying plenty of water in the event of high temperatures, and to check their vehicles aren’t going to let them down.
Getting to Worthy Farm
Drivers coming from the north using the M5 should exit at junction 23 and head east on the A39 to the A361, while those coming from the south via the M5 should follow the event signage and leave the motorway at junction 25 for Taunton. Festivalgoers approaching from the east via the A303 should then follow the A37 north to Worthy Farm. People using the M4 in Wiltshire should head down to the festival from junction 17 on the A350 before going onto the A361 west.
The RAC say they're expecting a build-up of traffic from today (25 June) - ahead of the official opening tomorrow - as the car park opens from 9pm tonight, in a bid by the festival organisers to reduce congestion.
According to the Glastonbury website, the worst time to arrive at Worthy Farm is between 7am and 2pm on Wednesday 26.
The RAC also anticipates there may be more potential delays early in the morning of Friday 28, as this is the day when the main music stages open.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Traffic jams are enough to drive people ‘totally crazy’ at the best of times but can be even more frustrating if you’ve already been travelling for hours with a carful of tents and camping equipment. While it will be extremely difficult to avoid heavy traffic on the final roads leading to Glastonbury, you can take several steps to make the experience more bearable.
“While sat-navs are usually an excellent tool to save you time on the road, when it comes to getting to the Glastonbury Festival it’s far better to follow the official directional signs to get to the right car park. You don’t want to end up at the wrong entrance and then struggle to reach the other side of the site – this creates more delays for everyone and is a sure-fire way of arriving at anything but the ‘Speed of Sound’.”
RAC Western patrol team manager Gary Hesketh said: “Getting locked out of your vehicle at the best of times is the furthest thing from ‘Paradise’, let alone when you’re feeling slightly ‘Bedshaped’ after five nights of camping. However, drivers can make life easier for themselves by doing proper vehicle checks to ensure their cars don’t overheat enroute and securing their vehicle properly after arriving on site.
“You can reduce the chances of a breakdown before you even start your trip by making sure your car is ready for the hot weather. Check your oil and coolant levels are at the right level and make sure your tyres are free of damage, have plenty of tread and are inflated to the right pressures. It’s also important to carry plenty of water and extra food if you know you’ll be on the road for longer than usual.
“When arriving at Worthy Farm, our advice is to remember where you’ve parked by noting your route colour and car park number, secure your vehicle by ensuring all doors are closed and locked and make sure there are no lights left on inside – otherwise a flat battery could greet you on Monday morning.
“Those prone to losing their keys should consider making use of one of the free-of-charge property lock-ups available around the festival site. If you do have a spare key, take it with you and lock it in the car, because then our patrols or locksmith partners can still gain access and ‘Fix You’.
“If you’re the one driving home, make sure you get plenty of rest before setting off and limit your drinking on the Sunday so you’re safe for the trip home on Monday. Driving tired is also extremely dangerous, so make sure you stop and rest up if you feel drowsy at any point.”