Drivers warned of delays in Leicester on Saturday as City and Tigers play at home
Motorists visiting Leicester tomorrow are being warned to expect congestion and delays, with both of the city's major sports teams playing home fixtures on the first big shopping Saturday before Christmas.
Traffic police are advising shoppers as well as sports fans to take steps to minimise congestion and disruption to their journeys into the city.
About 44,000 spectators are expected to watch Leicester City taken on local rivals Derby County at 5.15pm, at the King Power Stadium, and earlier Leicester Tigers host Bath, at Welford Road, at 12.30pm.Unusually, both clubs are playing at home on the same day to avoid fixture congestion.
Police and the city council are deploying extra staff and additional car parking has been made available.
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But there is still expected to be higher than usual traffic flows between 2.15pm and 5.15pm, when people will be leaving and arriving in the city, with parking spaces near to the sports stadiums at a premium, particularly for fans attending the football later in the afternoon.
Adrian Russell, chairman of the city's safety advisory group, said: "We have been working closely with the clubs and the emergency services over this fixture clash.
"We've introduced a few extra measures that should help make this event pass off smoothly with minimal congestion.
"However, it is important that all members of the public be aware of the relatively unusual nature of this fixture clash, which may affect their normal travel and parking arrangements."
Visitors are advised to: allow extra time for their journeys; be mindful of congestion around the sports stadiums, and use public transport or park and ride buses if possible.
Football fans are advised to buy tickets in advance, share cars to get to the game and be warned their normal parking arrangements might not be possible.
tigers supporters should arrive at the stadium as early as they can, preferably by noon; walk or use buses to get to the ground, and consider parking in Bannatynes Health Club, in Welford Road, and at De Montfort University, The Gateway, where additional parking has been made available and will be signposted from around the city centre.
Comments
by sansue
Friday, November 30 2012, 10:09PM
“"I've been undecided whether to sign the petition for residents parking west of Narborough Road so tomorrow should decide it for me."
Based on a rare occurrence? Wow. Most people would exclude such events from their judgement processes. Surely asking people to put up with something once or twice a year isn't unreasonable? Look at Pilton in Somerset; a village of 200 that once a year has 180,000 people descend on it.”
by westleic
Friday, November 30 2012, 4:36PM
“I've been undecided whether to sign the petition for residents parking west of Narborough Road so tomorrow should decide it for me.”