Video and pictures: Roads busy as fans descend for V Festival
[gallery] Heavy traffic was reported in Shropshire today as fans started to arrive at Weston Park for this year's V Festival, although the weather appeared to be making it quieter than in previous years.
The gates opened at 8am. with police urging drivers to expect delays on the A5, A41, M54, A449, A460 and M6.
Traffic began to build up along the A5 between Ivetsey Road and the A41 at Weston Heath.
There was also slow traffic along the A41 between the B5314 Weston Heath and the A5
Sophie Powers, of the Highways Agency, said: "Everything is running smoothly. We have patrols on the A5, M54 and M6 and everyone is abiding by the traffic system in place.
"We've had a few problems with people stopping on hard shoulders but other than it is quiet- this may be because of the weather."
The Highways Agency issued advice for people driving to the festival to help them avoid road closures.
Signs will direct festival traffic on different routes depending on which direction it is arriving from. Festival-goers arriving from the north travelling southbound should use the M6 junction 12 exit. Traffic travelling from the south along the M6 will not be able to exit at junction 12 of the M6, and should follow signs for the M54, as should traffic travelling from the west.
Staffordshire Police Superintendent Elliott Sharrard-Williams, police lead event commander, said: "Drivers should not use a sat-nav or internet route map but follow the event directional signs as there will be some road closures in place."The village of Tong and some local roads (Beighton Lane leading to Blymhill Gate, Old Chester Road and Mill Lane) will be closed to festival traffic but will be staffed by stewards to ensure residents and emergency services have full access."
More than 100 acts are taking part in this year's festival include Stereophonics, Olly Murs, Kasabian, James Bay, Tom Jones and The Charlatans.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the festival has a wide array of acts performing on Saturday and Sunday across all four stages. There will also be a variety of attractions including Frankie Boyle and Seann Walsh at the Comedy Tent, as well as a range of grime, indie, soul and hip hop acts at the Our House tent.
Meanwhile, fans heading to V Festival this weekend were today being reminded that both legal and illegal drugs are banned from the Weston Park site.
Staffordshire Police said today they would not tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour at the annual event that attracts tens of thousands of revellers.
Those arriving at the event from today must allow themselves to be searched by police officers or security staff as a condition of entry to the site. Anyone found in possession of, or dealing, drugs will be arrested and substances will be seized and the offenders will face prosecution.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "
It is the same message for those caught with so-called legal highs, including nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas, which can lead to severe problems and in some cases, death.
"Anyone found with any legal highs risk being ejected from the site after having their wrist bands and tickets seized. We are also warning revellers to be aware of the danger of drink or drug driving.
"Officers will breathalyse drivers suspected of drink driving or carry out a drug test of those suspected of using drugs when they leave the site as part of our roads policing operation.
"It is foolish to think you are fit to drive after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
"Mistakenly some people think that if they have been asleep and/or have eaten they are fit to drive, but you risk putting your own or other people's lives at risk."
Penalties for drink or drug driving include an automatic 12-month motoring ban, for a first offence. People caught could also face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.
Festival-goers are also encouraged to follow the @VFestPolice Twitter account to receive the latest traffic updates, safety messages and advice.
