Download Festival boss apologises for major travel delays
- Published
The festival will be marking its 20th anniversary
The manager of Download Festival has apologised after those arriving at the rock music event continue to spend hours stuck in traffic.
Major delays were reported on the roads around Donington Park in Leicestershire on Wednesday and Thursday.
Some passengers at nearby East Midlands Airport missed their flights as a result of the congestion.
John Probyn said organisers were working with the local authority and transport agencies to minimise delays.
The festival has advised people arriving from the south on the M1 to use junction 23, external and follow signs.
Those coming from the south on the A42 have been told to use junction 14 and follow the signage.
Those arriving from the north on the M1 should use junction 24A, then follow the A50 to junction one, Trent Lane, Station Road and Broad Rushes (Donington Bypass).
National Highways reported "severe delays" affecting the M1 and A453 on Thursday.
Traffic on the A453 leading up to the M1 junction 24 roundabout
Congestion at the M1 junction 24 roundabout on Thursday afternoon
East Midlands Airport confirmed some passengers missed their plane journeys on Wednesday as a result of the queues.
A spokesperson said staff - including its managing director Steve Griffiths - drove in airport minibuses to collect some passengers stranded on the nearby A453.
Visitors have been advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys to and from the airport while the festival is on.
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More campers have been making their way to the event, along with thousands of additional day ticket holders.
The festival is marking its 20th anniversary, but for many attending it has not been a good start.
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People living in the area also reported being affected.
Debbie Moody said on Facebook: "Absolute nightmare for people who live here.
"It wasn't this bad last year. Either the signage is rubbish or the system this year is rubbish.
"This truly is the worse year I've ever known."
Metallica, Slipknot and Bring Me The Horizon are headlining this year's event
Jenna Durham agreed and said a seven-minute car journey to the next village to collect her children from school took nearly two hours.
Liz Shepherd said the delays made her daughter late for her GCSE maths exam.
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