SEE how a traffic plan in operation during the Isle of Wight Festival from today (Wednesday) could affect your travel plans. 

The Isle of Wight Council says the main route for festival traffic from the Red Funnel terminal in East Cowes, will run up York Avenue and Whippingham Road, where it will turn right onto East Cowes Road and into the festival car park.

At busy times, traffic may be directed into the car park via The Racecourse roundabout, then back and turning left into East Cowes Road.

Festival-bound vehicles travelling from the Wightlink Fishbourne terminal, will be directed right onto Kite Hill, through Wootton onto Lushington Hill, then right at The Racecourse roundabout and left onto East Cowes Road and into the festival car park.

Useful information during the festival

People requiring access to Newport Quay will be need to use the bridge from Sea Street and avoid going through Seaclose Park.

There will be a one-way system in place along Fairlee Road, Newport, from lunchtime today (Wednesday, June 19).

All outbound traffic from Newport will be directed up Staplers Road. This will be removed at some time during the afternoon of Monday, June 24 — returning to normal traffic arrangements.

If any of the entrances to the car parks are temporarily blocked, or an incident occurs on any of the roads being used by festival traffic, there are a number of diversion options where festival traffic can be temporarily ‘stacked’ away from the main roads, then released into the network once the problem has been resolved.

Residents will be kept up to date with routine traffic information, details of road closures and diversions, with updates about Isle of Wight Council services affected by the festival.

The Cowes Floating Bridge will be operating an extended timetable during the festival weekend. 

Cowes Floating Bridge timetable

From Cowes — Tomorrow (Thursday, June 20): first ferry leaves 5am, last ferry leaves 12.20am; Friday, June 21: first ferry 5am, last ferry 1.20am; Saturday, June 22: first ferry 5am, last ferry 1.20am; Sunday, June 23: first ferry 6.30am, last ferry 1.20am; Monday, June 24: first ferry 5am, last ferry 12.20am.

From East Cowes — Tomorrow (Thursday, June 20): first ferry leaves 5.10am, last ferry leaves 12.10am; Friday, June 21: first ferry 5.10am, last ferry 1.10am; Saturday, June 22: first ferry 5.10am, last ferry 1.10am; Sunday, June 23: first ferry 6.40am, last ferry 1.10am; Monday, June 24: first ferry 5.10am, last ferry 12.10am.

For details of the revised operating hours, please see below, with any updates found on the Floating Bridge website.

People are also encouraged to look at the Isle of Wight Council's dedicated festival pages for services, which contain important information about road closures and diversions, including access to Seaclose Park and changes to council services, as information becomes available.

The council asks that residents plan their routes carefully, to avoid the designated festival traffic routes from today (Wednesday, June 19), and Monday, June 24, when traffic volumes will be their highest.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will provide security and safety updates. Messages will be shared via social media and the County Press.