FESTIVAL-goers heading out this week could face fines if they make a dangerous mistake on the motorway.
Dance music fans heading to Creamfields festival in Cheshire could see their party plans take a serious hit.
Drivers and revellers flocking to the massive four-day festival are being warned that they’ll face fines if they break the law on the motorway.
With around 70,000 people descending on Daresbury for the event, roads are going to be heaving – especially around Junction 11 of the M56, where most of the festival traffic is expected.
National Highways is pulling out all the stops to keep things running smoothly and, more importantly, safely.
Extra officers will be on patrol around the M56 to stop anyone from making a dangerous – and costly – mistake: walking on the motorway.
In the past, some over-excited festival-goers have tried to hoof it along the motorway, but National Highways is putting its foot down this year.
Gary Farrell, National Highways’ senior network planner, had a stark warning for anyone thinking of risking it: “The motorway is no place for pedestrians – it’s dangerous and illegal.
“Having people walking on the network can cause delays, and more importantly, it puts lives at risk.”
And it’s not just pedestrians who need to be careful.
Drivers dropping off or picking up their mates at the festival are being told not to stop on the hard shoulder or in live lanes.
Instead, National Highways is directing drivers to use the dedicated collection points off the motorway network, which will be clearly signed.
So, if you’re giving your mates a lift, make sure you follow the rules – or it could be a very expensive trip.
If you’re relying on your sat-nav to get you to the festival, think again.
National Highways is urging festival-goers to follow the dedicated signs to the site instead.
Ignoring them could see you winding up on unsuitable, narrow roads.
Revellers travelling from the north, south, and east of the venue are being directed to use Junction 11 of the M56, while those coming from the west should use Junction 12.
For anyone else hitting the road this weekend, be warned – the M56 around junctions 10, 11, and 12, as well as the M56 interchange with the M6, is likely to be chock-a-block, especially during peak times.
Electronic signs along the M6, M56, and M62 will be giving advance warnings about the event, so keep your eyes peeled.
Meanwhile, last year music fans caused miles of gridlocked traffic when the doors to the festival opened.
Fed up residents blasted the “nightmare” of having 70,000 ravers who brought 11 miles of traffic and emptied the shops of alcohol.
The festival soon turned into a nightmare with the tragic death of a security guard.
The Creamfields security guard died after suffering a serious head injury at the festival.
