Dringhouses residents are braced for the impact of increased traffic associated with the Rod Stewart concert taking place on the Knavesmire on Saturday 1st June.

It is hoped that measures put in place will help to avoid a repeat of the traffic chaos that accompanied the Balloon Festival in September 2018. On that occasion residential streets were often impassable due to a large amount of inconsiderate parking.

The council’s Transport team have issued the following statement to ward councillors for Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, Micklegate and Bishopthorpe wards:

“It is anticipated that 30,000 people will be attending which could lead to up to 7,500 cars parking in the car parks off Knavesmire Road, Campleshon Road, and Bishopthorpe Road. Bearing in mind the impact of the Balloon Festival last year a Traffic Management Plan similar to a busy race day arrangement, but enhanced to cover the increased number of vehicles, will be in place. Timeline:

• Traffic management in place from approx. 14:00
• Car Parks open at 16:00
• Event Performance ends at 22:30
• All traffic management removed by 01:00 Sunday

  Key Elements:

• Main Car Parks will be off Knavesmire Road, Campleshon Road and Bishopthorpe Road.
• Traffic generally directed to access the event off the A64 via Tadcaster Road/ Sim Balk Lane/Bishopthorpe Road.
• Knavesmire Road to be one way towards Tadcaster Road 14:00 to 01:00
• A section of Bishopthorpe Road (Middlethorpe Hall to Access to Racecourse Car Park) to be one way northbound 14:00 to 20:00.
• Shuttle buses will run between the Station and Racecourse.
• Temporary traffic signals will be in place at key junctions and access points to manage traffic.
• Civil Enforcement Officers will be available for parking issues. Parking Hotline 0800 1381119 – (08:00 – 21:00)
• Signs indicating ‘Residents Access Only No Event Parking’ will be placed on access points to residential areas.
• Route 21 and 11 buses will be diverted around the traffic restrictions on Knavesmire Rd and Bishopthorpe Rd.

Travel advice will be provided on the itravelyork website at https://www.itravelyork.info/events/rod-stewart-concert-at-york-racecourse  

Traffic levels are expected to be very high with significant delays anticipated. Residents are advised to follow the diversion signs, allow more time for their journeys and use alternative routes away from the Knavesmire area if possible.”