Drivers warned ahead of charity motorbike convoy

The Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival will be held in September

Drivers are being warned to plan ahead as a convoy of about 3,500 motorbikes gets set to take to the roads in Shropshire.

The annual Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival on 1 September will see riders and their pillion passengers travelling a 25-mile route to raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

They will will start from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury at 10:30 BST, and travel along the A5, M54 and A41 to Weston Park, with the first bikes due to arrive at about 11:10 BST.

The event, originally for April, was postponed due to bad weather.

National Highways has warned of delays for up to two hours to make way for the convoy.

There will be restricted traffic movements at Meole Brace Island if travelling from Sainsbury’s.

All eastbound movements will be stopped at A5 Dobbies, A5 Emstrey and A5 Preston Boats roundabouts.

There will also be closures of the eastbound entry slip roads on the M54 at junctions seven, six, five, four, and no traffic movements other than the motorcycles at junction three and the A41 northbound as far as the junction with Foxey Road until the ride out clears.

“The sight of all the bikes leaving Meole Brace and heading down the motorway and then into the festival is quite the spectacle and one we are happy to support as we see the vital work Midlands Air Ambulance Charity does at close hand," said National Highways senior network planner, Frank Bird.

“We advise anyone due to travel through this area on 1 September to plan ahead and avoid the times of the ride out if possible.

"If that’s not possible, set off early and allow extra time for your journey.”