Driver advice for Parklife Weekender

Music lovers heading to the Parklife Weekender at Heaton Park next month are being advised to consider using public transport rather than driving to the event.

The popular annual music festival moved last year from Platt Fields in south Manchester to Heaton Park. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 June, finishing at 11pm each day.

With limited on-site car parking and no dedicated park-and-ride facilities or driver drop-off or pick-up points, the concert organisers are advising music lovers to use special shuttle buses or public transport instead of driving. 

Motorway users are being advised that sections of the M60, M62 and M66 around Simister Island may be busy from around 10pm on each of the two nights.

Highways Agency traffic officers at the North West Regional Control Centre will be closely monitoring motorway traffic using CCTV cameras and patrols will be out and about to help manage traffic and keep drivers on the move.

Electronic variable message signs will be used to advise motorway users of the event and any congestion.

Drivers are being reminded that anyone stopping on the hard shoulder or live lanes to drop off or pick up concert-goers risks an on-the-spot fine of £60 and three penalty points. Pedestrians walking anywhere along the motorway carriageway also risk being fined £50.

Phil Stockford, the Highways Agency’s Events Planning Manager, said: "We aren’t expecting significant congestion issues but with limited on-site parking and no park-and-ride facilities we are urging people to use public transport rather than drive to the park.

“In the past we have had congestion caused by people stopping on the motorway to drop off or pick up concert-goers. We would like to remind drivers and concert-goers that, as well as being dangerous, this is an offence and anyone doing this risks an on-the-spot fine or prosecution by the police.”

Anyone driving to Heaton Park should plan their journeys.