Silverstone F1 fans told to plan their journeys

Formula 1 fans heading to the British Grand Prix have been advised to "allow extra time" for their journeys.

About 480,000 motorsport fans are expected to head to the four-day event, which starts on Thursday and culminates in Sunday's race at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.

National Highways has said extra traffic officers will be on patrol - to keep traffic flowing and clear any incidents as quickly as possible.

Anyone not going to Silverstone has been advised to avoid the area, as traffic is expected to be heavy from Wednesday until next Monday.

National Highways said that, as in previous years, there will be a one-way system on the main A43 between the Abthorpe Roundabout, at Towcester, and the junction with the B4525 interchange, near Syresham, on Saturday and Sunday.

On both days, the direction of traffic will be towards the circuit between 05:00 BST and 14:00. Then, between 14:00 and 23:00, it will switch, to take people away from the venue. This will be lifted earlier "if possible".

Dadford Road to the Silverstone Circuit will also become one way on Friday morning and all day Saturday and Sunday, National Highways said.

Fans driving to the venue have been told to follow the signs from the M1, M40 and to refer to their car parking pass, rather than relying on sat-navs, and follow the directions of signage and stewards.

National Highways operations manager, Mark Munnoch, said: "Whilst sat-navs will get them to the circuit, depending on which car park is required they may need to leave by different slip roads."

He also advised carrying out "pre-journey vehicle checks" and carrying bottled water, particularly in hot weather.

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