Bid to control V Festival traffic

The V Festival runs simultaneously in the Midlands and Essex

Music-lovers have been warned to keep to advertised routes for the V Festival site in the West Midlands next weekend.

Police said congestion was unavoidable, but "careful planning" had gone into managing traffic heading to Weston Park on the Staffordshire-Shropshire border.

Around 90,000 music fans are expected at the Weston-under-Lizard site.

Police urged that only people with tickets travel to the festival, while other motorists should stick to main roads, they added.

Drivers from the west should leave the M54 at junction 3, and those from the east should leave the M6 at junction 12 and then use signed routes.

Arriva buses will take people from Wolverhampton and Stafford rail stations to and from Weston Park and use a separate entrance to the festival site.

'Signs already up'

Drop-off and collection points will be signposted from the A5, as will routes for camper vans.

Event commander, Ch Insp Peter Taylor, said: "With up to 35,000 cars expected, some congestion is inevitable.

"Signs advising motorists to avoid the area around Weston Park during the event are already up.

"Those not attending the festival should seek alternative routes, and particularly consider using the motorways instead of the A5."

The village of Tong and some local roads will be closed to festival traffic but will be staffed by stewards so residents and emergency services have full access.