BBC Radio 2 in the Park Preston: planned bus diversions and services

A Preston Bus service in the city centre. Credit: Blog Preston

Preston Bus has released diversion and route information ahead of BBC Radio 2 in the Park festival this weekend.

The festivities kick off with a Pre-Party on Friday and main headline acts will provide a soundtrack throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The event is set to attract up to 35,000 ticket holders each day, with road closures and diversions in place.

Committed to sustainability, BBC Radio 2 have advised those attending to consider using public transport.

Preston Bus has also seconded the advice, saying “travelling by bus to the event is a great way to avoid getting stuck in traffic or paying over the odds for a taxi.”

The 19 and 20 bus service will operate every 15 minutes on Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday from Preston Railway Station (stand D). It will drop passengers off at Sainsbury’s near the Deepdale, a three-minute walk from the entrance.

Preston Railway Station. Pic: Blog Preston

From stands 15 and 16 at Preston Bus Station and Lancaster Road, stand M, in the city centre, services 6, 19 and 20 will operate every eight minutes on Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sunday. The service will also drop passengers off at Sainsbury’s.

All the services will cost £2 for a single fare, cash and card are both accepted.

Due to road closures during the evening, it will not be possible to use the public bus services to return to the city centre after the event. However, a dedicated shuttle bus will be available on behalf of the Big Green Coach. Tickets cost £10 and passengers are advised to book in advance via the website.

The stage set up in Moor Park Pic: Blog Preston

Due to Sir Tom Finney Way being closed, services will be diverted as follows. Delays are expected all weekend due to the volume of visitors.

Services 6, 19 and 20 – from 9:15am to 8:45pm

Services will divert from Preston Bus Station via Lord Street, Lancaster Road, Church Street, Ringway, North Road, Garstang Road, and Blackpool Road, resuming the normal route at Sainsburys. Services returning to Preston will observe a normal route to Sainsbury’s, then via Blackpool Road, Garstang Road, and North Road to Preston Bus Station. There will be no service on Deepdale Road.

8:45pm to end of service

From 2045, Blackpool Road will additionally be closed. Therefore, services will divert from Preston Bus Station via Lord Street, Lancaster Road, Church Street, Ringway, North Road, Garstang Road, and Watling Street Road, resuming the normal route at Sharoe Green Lane (19/20) or Fulwood Barracks (6). Services returning to Preston will observe the normal route to Watling Street Road, then via Blackpool Road, Garstang Road, and North Road to Preston Bus Station. There will be no service on Deepdale Road.

Service 48

Service 48 will operate a normal route throughout the weekend, but due to the nature of the event, delays are likely.

Preston Bus Station information

Preston Bus Station on Tithebarn Street (PR1 1YT) will be open until 10pm on 6,7 and 8 September. However, the coach station, based at the Bus Station, will remain open for access to the car park and for toilet facilities.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “We will be pleased to be able to help the event run smoothly, and our staff will be on hand until midnight to help with general enquiries on how people can reach the venue and assist with people returning to their cars.”

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.