Drivers using the M6 and local roads for 2 large Haydock Park events this weekend are being advised to take extra care around junction 23 of the motorway.
With racing and a Kaiser Chiefs rock concert at the racecourse tomorrow (Friday 7 August) followed by the large Rose of Lancaster Stakes race meet on Saturday (8 August) Highways England is working with the venue to trial new traffic management arrangements.
The new arrangements are being tested following a £4.1 million remodelling of the junction which serves the A580 and A49 local roads as well as the M6.
The ‘pinch point’ scheme was completed in May, improving safety and traffic flows through the junction.
Highways England Events Planning Manager Phil Stockford said:
“The A49 north of the junction where the main entrance to the racecourse is located is normally relatively quiet. However, some sizeable events there in recent months have led to congestion around the junction which we have not experienced previously so we have reviewed the traffic management arrangements with Haydock Park and other partners to see if the situation can be improved.”
Both the Kaiser Chiefs event (up to 20,000 people expected) and the Rose of Lancaster Stakes (10,000 people) are likely to cause congestion in the area.
Drivers are being urged to approach the junction with extra care during the two events and take note of the trial arrangements including:
• All event traffic apart from coaches to avoid the A49 – and use the racecourse public car parks via Sandy Lane off the A580 from the Manchester-bound carriageway east of junction 23
•Only coaches to use the racecourse main entrance off the A49 north of the junction
• Manually-operated stop-go boards being used outside the main entrance off the A49
• Additional temporary signage is to be placed on both exit slips at junction 23 and on the eastbound A580 from St Helens approaching the junction.
• Highways England traffic officers at the North West Regional Control Centre at nearby Newton-le-Willows to monitor traffic conditions around the junction and close liaison with event organisers and Highways England partners such as the police
Drivers setting out on journeys can check travel conditions before setting out on journeys. Highways England provides live traffic information via its website www.trafficengland.com, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Information is also available from Twitter via @highwaysNWEST as well as services in other regions.
Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.
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