Reading Festival 2013

Reading Festival 2013 runs from Friday August 23rd to Sunday August 25th. Traffic volume is expected to peak from Wednesday August 21st through to Friday August 23rd, and again with the departure on the Bank Holiday, Monday August 26th.

Parking restrictions are in place around the Richfield Avenue site and this area should be avoided during the festival period. Festival car parking is available at Mapledurham and Kings Meadow. There are no facilities directly around the site for drivers to drop off and pick up passengers – instead drivers should follow the directions to the official drop off and pick up points at Kings Meadow, on Napier Road.

For festival visitors parking at Mapledurham, a pedestrian bridge has again been constructed into the site to ensure easy access to the festival. For those parking in Kings Meadow a boat service is provided free of charge to help transport everyone, and their belongings, to the festival.

Temporary traffic management will be in operation at the Napier Road/Vastern Road roundabout and it is advisable to avoid this area, in addition to the areas immediately around the site, during Bank Holiday Monday.

A night time closure of the Thames Path (from 9pm to 6am) will be in operation from Thursday August 22nd to Saturday August 24th inclusive. The closure will apply between Scours Lane to the far end of Thames Side Promenade. The temporary closure is implemented for security and safety grounds.

Throughout the duration of the festival a temporary taxi rank will be operating in Tessa Road – opposite the Rivermead Leisure Centre next to the Festival site – as a further option when travelling to and from the site. There will be another taxi rank in Loverock Road (close to Wigmore Lane) once the festival has started midday Friday to Monday. There will be a third taxi rank at Thames Prom for those exiting the site on Monday only. Visitors are being reminded that they should pre-book private hire vehicles rather than hail them from the roadside. All licensed vehicles will display a Reading Borough Council plate on the back and all drivers should have an identity badge in full view.

If any resident has concerns relating to this year’s festival, they can call the Council’s hotline number on 01189 380405 is open from 7am Wednesday, August 21st until midday Monday, August 26th. Before and after the festival, residents with concerns or queries can call Reading Borough Council on (0118) 937 3737.