ALL roads might lead to Stradbally next weekend, but there’ll be no picnic for motorists.
A stringent garda management plan has been put in place to make sure everything runs smoothly traffic-wise at this year’s Electric Picnic festival.
The three-day event hits Stradbally from 3 to 5 September. Heading up the plan are Inspector Tom Mooney, Sgt Redmond Cody and Garda Luke Butler.
The plan sets out that traffic coming in from the Limerick direction on the N7 will come in from junction 17 at the Togher roundabout.
It will then be directed on to the Abbeyleix Road, right on to the Meelick Road, then right again on to Timahoe Road and right to Sheffield where it will join with event traffic from Bloomfield.
Coaches or camper vans on this route will continue to Money Cross, straight through the junction, turn left at Timahoe village and on to gate three for entry.
Traffic on the M8 coming from the Cork direction will exit the motorway at junction three, heading on to Abbeyleix, then turn right to Ballyroan and on to Money Cross. Coaches and camper vans will turn right at Money Cross to Timahoe and then left and on to gate three.
Traffic coming in along the Stradbally Road from the Portlaoise direction will be directed on to Sheffield/Money Cross (R425) while event coaches, mini buses, camper vans, taxis and vehicles for disabled persons will be allowed entry straight through to Stradbally. Traffic coming in from the Carlow/Athy direction, with the exception of coaches, mini buses, camper vans, taxis and vehicles for disabled people, will travel through Stradbally Town to Portlaoise Road and enter left to the designated parking at Bowe’s field. Coaches, camper vans and disabled persons vehicles will turn left at Court Square on to the Timahoe Road and enter at gate three.
Approaching vehicles from the Vicarstown Road will be diverted at Garran’s Cross, directed on to Athy Road and will then take the same route as the Carlow approach road plan.
There will be strict enforcement rules against roadside parking or disembarking and tow trucks will be used to remove any roadside parking or vehicles causing obstruction.
Taxis running over the three days will operate from a temporary taxi rank along the Cork Road beside the paintball facility.
An area has been specifically reserved for parking and camping for patrons with disabilities. This is located in the corner of the camper van parking area. Access to this area is through gate three on the Timahoe Road.