Creamfields: 70,000 festival goers will test “traffic infrastructure to its limits” say Police

Around 70,000 music fans are expected attend Creamfields in Daresbury this bank holiday weekend.

Most of those attending the huge dance music event will travel on Friday and Saturday morning with the M56 and M6 expected to be very busy.

Anyone thinking of driving to the annual bank holiday festival is advised to plan their journey and leave plenty of time to get to the festival site on Daresbury Estate near Runcorn, just off junction 11 of the M56.

This year extra police and Highways England traffic officers are being deployed around junction 11 of the M56 at Daresbury to deter festival goers from walking on the motorway – an issue in previous festivals particularly at the end of the event.

#SouthStage #Creamfields2015 #creamfields @Creamfields pic.twitter.com/m5gxUHbbjA

— CreamfieldsCops (@CreamfieldsCops) August 26, 2015

On-the-spot fines.

Drivers are being reminded that anyone stopping on the motorway hard shoulder or live lanes to drop off or pick up concert-goers risks an on-the-spot fine of £30.

Anyone caught walking anywhere along the motorway carriageway also risks being fined £50.

Phil Stockford, Highways England’s Events Planning Manager, said:

“We will be doing all we can to manage traffic around the event and keep drivers on the move – festival goers and other drivers can help themselves by planning their journeys and keeping themselves up to date with traffic information.”

“We would like to remind everyone that the motorway is no place for pedestrians – it is dangerous and illegal and having pedestrians on the network can cause delays for legitimate motorway users. Drivers wanting to pick people up should use the dedicated collection points off the motorway network which will be clearly signed.”

Car parks to the site will open at noon on the Friday and close at 2pm on bank holiday Monday 31 August.

Traffic approaching on the M6 from the south will be directed via the M56 from junction 11. Traffic approaching on the M6 from the north will be directed via the M62 from junction 7.

Cheshire policing operation starts at 7am on Friday 28 August and will run until approximately 2pm on Monday 31 August.

Sergeant Rick Weaver, of Cheshire Police′s Roads Policing Unit, said:

“There will be thousands of people travelling into the area over the Bank Holiday weekend and this will once again test the traffic infrastructure to its limits. We are confident that the plan in place will address any issues that may arise from the increase in road users.

“The traffic plan has been designed to ensure that ticketholders can access and leave the site efficiently – by the most appropriate routes. It also aims to manage the likelihood of increased traffic in the area – for the benefit of local people who will need to maintain access to their homes and local businesses.

“Local roads will have full and partial closures on them − but residents will still be able to gain access to their homes at all times.”

It's almost here… #CREAMFIELDS2015 #CreamfieldsSunday 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/K4GgqlXaGs

— Creamfields (@Creamfields) August 26, 2015

Drugs warning.

Police are warning festival goers that all drugs, including legal highs, will not be tolerated at the event.

Those attending will be subject to stringent security checks as they enter the event, which will include both body searches and sniffer dogs, and anyone who refuses to be searched will be denied entry into the event.
Inspector Stewart Sheer from Cheshire Police said:

“Festival goers are reminded that security will be tight at the event. Security measures will be in place and it is important that those attending are aware of these.

“Drug use will not be tolerated and positive action will be taken by police. Searches are a condition of entry and drugs dogs will be used at the entrances to the site.

“Surrender Bins will be provided at the entrances for festival goers to place any drugs or weapons into. Anyone found with drugs or weapons, having not placed them into the bins, will be dealt with by police.”

“I would advise anyone considering bringing any such items to not bring them in the first place.”

Cheshire Police Drugs Expert Detective Constable Jamie Thompson said:

“In addition to illegal drugs, there will also be a zero tolerance approach to legal highs, such as nitrous oxide. Anyone who is found in possession of legal highs will be refused entry into the event.

“The advice is clear – if you are found in possession of any drugs, including legal highs, you will not be allowed into the event, and you may be prosecuted.”

Weather.

Daresbury weather:

Friday  Mixed – sunshine and clouds, with light showers in mid-afternoon. highs of 17 degrees.

Saturday: Dry – cloudy day, with highs of 17 degrees.

Sunday: Rain – light rain showers forecast throughout the day, and temperatures reaching a high of 16 degrees.

Dedicated travel information for those attending the event is available at the Creamfields website.

Cheshire police also have a dedicates twitter account @CreamfieldsCops

Image: Anthony Mooney/ urbanistauk