Driver advice for Cheshire Show
Drivers using the M6 the A556 in Cheshire next week are being reminded that the popular Cheshire County Show is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday (17 and 18 June).
Highways Agency Events Planning Officer Phil Stockford said:
We will be working to get visitors into and away from the Cheshire Show as painlessly as possible and to minimise convenience to other road users.
However, there is much motorway users can do to help themselves by planning their journeys and checking traffic conditions before they set out.
Show visitors can help themselves and fellow drivers by heeding official directions to the show and any hard signs or electronic signs we use to give them advice on the day.
The event, at the Clayhouse Farm show ground just off the A556 at Tabley, is taking place between 8am and 6pm on both dates. Traffic issues around the site can fluctuate with the weather – with congestion on the M6 and A556 in previous years when the sun has shone.
The site is just south of junction 19 of the M6 at Knutsford. In an effort to reduce and manage the kind of congestion generated at some previous events, the Highways Agency has been working on a revised traffic management plan with the show organisers.
The show ground has a licensed capacity of 65,000, but the number of attendees can be influenced by the weather.
The Highways Agency, which is responsible for the M6 and M56 and the A556 between them is working with Cheshire East Council, which is responsible for local roads, to manage traffic for the event.
As in previous years, traffic arriving via junction 19 at Knutsford will be directed off the motorway to follow signs to the site entrance - although the main focus, supported by electronic message signs, will be for traffic using the northbound M6 to leave at junction 18 at Holmes Chapel and follow a signed route from the A54.
Traffic using the southbound M6 will be directed off at junction 20a at Lymm to use the A50. Traffic using the westbound M56 will be directed off at Junction 7 at Bowdon to use the A556 to the show ground.
Show traffic heading from the eastbound M56 will need to leave at junction 10 at Stretton and then use the A559.
All routes off the motorway network will have clear signs directing traffic to the show ground and electronic signs are being used in advance of and during the event to advise drivers.
The show organisers will assist the Highways Agency in helping to monitor traffic flows on each of the two days and adjust the traffic management plan accordingly.
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone.
Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways Agency Information Line (0300 123 5000) to keep up to date with road conditions. Several Twitter feeds, giving information on ongoing incidents and congestion, are also provided by the Agency – including @HAtraffic_nwest.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.