Isle of Wight Festival travel plan: Key routes and traffic diversions announced

The main route for Isle of Wight festival traffic from the East Cowes Red Funnel terminal will be up York Avenue and along Whippingham Road, where it will turn right onto East Cowes Road and into the festival car park. At busy times, traffic may be directed into the car park by going up to the Racecourse roundabout and then back and turning left into East Cowes Road.

Festival-bound vehicles travelling from the Wightlink terminal at Fishbourne will be directed to the right on to Kite Hill, through Wootton, down Lushington Hill and right at the Racecourse roundabout and then left onto East Cowes Road and into the festival car park.

People requiring access to Newport Quay will be required to use the bridge from Sea Street and avoid going through Seaclose Park.

There will be a one-way system in place along Fairlee Road from lunchtime on Wednesday 19th June. All outbound traffic from Newport will be directed up Staplers Road. This will be removed during Monday 24th June in the afternoon back to normal arrangements.

If any of the entrances to the car parks are temporarily blocked, or an incident occurs on any of the roads being used by festival traffic, there are a number of diversion options where festival traffic can be temporarily ‘stacked’ away from the main roads and released into the network once the problem has been resolved.

Residents will be kept up to date with routine traffic information, details of road closures and diversions, and updates about those council services affected by the festival. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will provide security and safety updates. Messages will be shared via social media and local media.

Floating Bridge festival timetable
The Cowes Floating Bridge will be operating an extended timetable during the weekend of the Isle of Wight Festival. For details of the revised operating hours, please see below:

Any current updates can be found at the Floating Bridge website.

From Cowes

Thursday 20th June 2024
First Ferry 0500                                  Last Ferry 0020

Friday 21st June 2024
First Ferry 0500                                  Last Ferry 0120

Saturday 22nd June 2024
First Ferry 0500                                  Last Ferry 0120

Sunday 23rd June 2024
First Ferry 0630                                  Last Ferry 0120

Monday 24^th June 2024
First Ferry 0500                                  Last Ferry 0020

From East Cowes

Thursday 20th June 2024
First Ferry 0510                                  Last Ferry 0010

Friday 21st June 2024
First Ferry 0510                                  Last Ferry 0110

Saturday 22nd June 2024
First Ferry 0510                                  Last Ferry 0110

Sunday 23rd June 2024
First Ferry 0640                                  Last Ferry 0110

Monday 24th June 2024
First Ferry 0510                                  Last Ferry 0010

More information
People are also encouraged to look at the dedicated festival pages which contain important information about the road closures and diversions, including access to Seaclose Park and changes to council services, as information becomes available.

You can see also see traffic information on the website.

The council asks that residents plan their routes carefully to avoid the designated festival traffic routes on the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday of the event — when traffic volumes will be their highest.

News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed