National Highways is deploying extra traffic officers to patrol the area around the British Grand Prix track at Silverstone to keep traffic flowing and clear any incidents as quickly as possible.

Some 480,000 visitors are expected over the course the next four days, with 160,000 due on Sunday, an increase of 18,000 on last year.

National Highways Network Resilience Planner Phil Shaw said:  “The British Grand Prix has always been the biggest date in the motor racing calendar and is the biggest event for us in terms of traffic management on our roads.

“We are working closely with Silverstone to manage the traffic flow and will have extra traffic officers patrolling the area to make sure that everything goes as smoothly and safely as possible for people travelling to and from the circuit. 

“We would encourage anyone not travelling to Silverstone to be aware of any diversions and to avoid the area if possible. 

“Those attending the Grand Prix should leave plenty of time for their journeys and follow the signs from the M1, M40 and on their car parking pass, rather than relying on sat navs. While the sat nav will get them to Silverstone Circuit, depending on which car park they are on they may need to leave by different slip roads.” 

As in previous years a one-way system will be introduced on the main A43 on between the Abthorpe Roundabout at Towcester and the junction with the B4525 interchange near Syresham on Saturday and Sunday. From 6am to until around 1pm on both days the direction of traffic will be towards the circuit while from approximately 3pm to 8pm it will switch to take people away from the venue.

Dadford Road to Silverstone circuit will also become one way on Friday morning, and all day Saturday and Sunday.

(Picture – National Highways)