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Information for Island Residents

The Isle of Wight Festival will takes place on the 11, 12 and 13 June. The Isle of Wight Council is working with partner agencies to ensure that the festival is an enjoyable and safe event for both residents and visitors.



Traffic information and how to get to the festival

Pedestrian safety & Newport one-way restriction (Fairlee Road)

Due to the number of people attending the festival a oneway restriction is necessary to accommodate a pedestrian only lane on the northbound carriageway of A3054 Fairlee Road. The restriction will be in operation between the entrance to the temporary bus station (at the access to North Fairlee Farm) and the junction of Staplers Road. Traffic in this section of road will only be permitted to travel in the direction towards Newport. This will be in operation from approximately 10am on Thursday 10 June until early afternoon on Monday 14 June.

Due to the one-way restriction all traffic travelling from Newport to East Cowes and Ryde, and from Newport to the festival campsite/main festival car park, will be diverted via Staplers Road, Whiterails Road and Station Road to Wootton, A3054 High Street and
Lushington Hill.


Isle of Wight Festival Road Traffic Plan 2010

Possible delays

During the event there will be far more traffic in the Newport/Wootton area, meaning additional delays, especially at peak times. If you live on the Isle of Wight it is strongly recommended that you avoid driving to the festival site as there will only be a limited number of parking spaces surrounding Seaclose Park. Please arrange a lift, taxi, or walk if you live nearby.

Southern Vectis will be operating special festival shuttle buses above and beyond their normal timetable with additional extra late services. All Festival shuttle buses arrive and depart from the Festival bus station in the Campsite. If you have a non camping Festival Wristband you can still arrive and depart from here. Please see the page we have dedicated to Bus Information or visit the Southern Vectis website for festival-specific travel information:www.islandbuses.info


Festival car park entrance

The entrance to the festival car park is off East Cowes Road, 300 metres on the East Cowes side of Racecourse roundabout. Event directions will be signposted.


Speed limits and no waiting restrictions

For safety reasons and to minimise congestion, there will be a temporary 30 mph speed limit and a 24 hour Highway Clearway Order (where no stopping or parking will be permitted on the road, in any lay-bys, on the footway or verge) along the Racecourse/Fairlee Road. This will be in operation between Racecourse Roundabout and the junction with Staplers Road from mid-morning on Thursday 10 June to the afternoon of Monday 14 June. A temporary 30mph speed limit will also be in force in Whippingham Road near to East Cowes Road junction (the event entrance for vehicles) to Racecourse Roundabout at the above times.


Temporary late night road closures (Racecourse, Fairlee Road, Staplers Road)

With pedestrian safety in mind, it is planned to close the A3054 Racecourse and Fairlee Road to vehicular traffic in both directions between Racecourse roundabout and Staplers Road after the event finishes on each night. This closure will affect any motorists who use unofficial car parks in the area.

The road closure should be in operation from approximately:

  • 11.30pm to 1.15am on Friday 11 June (night)/ Saturday 12 June (morning)
  • 11.30pm until 1.15am on Saturday 12 June (night)/ Sunday 13 June (morning)
  • 10.30pm until 12.15am on Sunday 13 June (night)/ Monday 14 June (morning)

These closure times may need to change if circumstances require.


Vehicular access along Fairlee Road (from the entrance to the temporary bus station at the access to North Fairlee Farm) to the junction of Staplers Road will not be possible, except in an emergency, during each road closure. This includes residents living along this section of the road. Access to Island Harbour premises will however be possible during these times.

Quay Street will be closed from High Street to Sea Street between 5pm on Friday 11 June to the early hours on Monday 14 June for an IW Festival taxi rank. Sea Street will have restricted access from approximately 6pm on each evening from Friday 11 June to Sunday 13 June until the early hours of the next morning in the interests of pedestrian safety.


Seaclose Park

To ensure the health and safety of the public during the staging of the festival at Seaclose Park, the park will be closed between Monday 31 May and Monday 21 June.


Isle of Wight Council Seaclose Planning Offices

The Council Planning Offices will be closed to the public on Thursday 10 and on Friday 11 June.
During this period people should travel to the Council Customer Services Centre at County Hall if they have any Planning enquiries.


Medina Leisure Centre

Wed 9th June
Pool closed

Thurs 10th June
Pool closed
50+ as normal
Tone zone 7.30am – 1pm then centre closed

Fri 11th June
Pool closed
Tone zone 7am – 1pm then centre closed

Sat 12th and Sun 13th June
Centre closed

Monday 13th June
Centre open as normal


Footpath Closure

The footpath from Seaclose Park access road across Seaclose Park to Island Harbour Marina will be closed from Tuesday 1 June until Monday 21 June.

The access road through Seaclose Park from Fairlee Road to Newport Quay will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians, and Footpath N120 from the Riverside Centre car park to Seaclose Park access road will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles from 4pm on Wednesday 9 June until noon on Monday 14 June 2010.


Cowes Floating Bridge

The chain ferry between Cowes and East Cowes will be operating until 1am on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings of the Festival weekend. This is an extention of its normal timetable which can be viewed here.



Further information

For general highways information:

Isle of Wight Council, tel: (01983) 823777.


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