DEDICATED MOTORCYCLE LANES ON DARTFORD CROSSING FOR BRANDS HATCH INTERNATIONAL BIKE MEETING ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7TH
28 July 2005 - Highways Agency

Drivers will experience increased levels of traffic on the M25 at Junction 3 (near Swanley, in Kent) due to an international motorcycle meeting at Brands Hatch on the Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August 2005 between 7am and 8pm.

Due to the high number of motorcyclists expected, the Highways Agency will provide two dedicated lanes northbound at the Dartford Crossing for bikers to use after attending the final day of the meeting at Brands Hatch on Sunday 7th August.

In order to minimise congestion for bikers and other road users, the barrier arm at the toll booths in lanes 13 and 14 on the northbound carriageway only will remain lifted for a limited period to allow bikers to pass through in convoy, rather than one at a time.

The barrier arm will be lifted in lane 14 of the toll booth plaza from 4pm until motorcycle traffic from Brands Hatch has reduced to normal levels. In lane 13 at the toll booth, the barrier arm will be lifted between 4.30pm and 7pm. An overhead driver information sign, displaying a motorcycle, will point to the designated motorcycle lanes, which are on the right hand side of the toll plaza. This gives motorcycles enough warning to get into the correct lane as they approach the toll plaza.

The Brands Hatch organisers will inform the Dartford Crossing control room when the bikers are due to leave the event and head for the Crossing and Traffic Officers will be on hand to manage traffic.

These arrangements will be in place for traffic leaving the event only. At all other times the normal arrangements at the Crossing will apply and although there is no charge for motorcycles at the Dartford Crossing, each motorcycle will need to stop at the toll plaza and pass through the barriers one at a time.

Motorcyclists using the dedicated lanes are advised to take care when approaching and leaving the toll plaza. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys if possible.

Highways Agency service manager, Peter Evans said:

''We have decided to have dedicated lanes at the Dartford Crossing for motorcyclists leaving Brands Hatch on Sunday 7th to help manage the high number of motorcyclists who will be returning home on the northbound M25.

''These are exceptional arrangements due to the high number of bikes attending the event. Motorcyclists are advised that these dedicated lanes will be in place for a limited period only and that at all other times, bikes will have to wait their turn to pass through the toll booth one at a time by waiting for the barrier arm to lift and return to its horizontal position.''

www.highways.gov.uk

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