It’s that time of year again when the sleepy town of Ascot turns into a complete circus of energy and pageantry…

With Royal Ascot just weeks away (June 18 – June 22), residents and businesses are readying themselves for a week of absolute chaos across Berkshire.

As racegoers arrive via coach, train or car, it is often the perfect environment for a traffic disaster.

To stop a standstill within the town, Ascot Racecourse has worked alongside the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Bracknell Forest Council, and Thames Valley Police to produce a traffic plan.

As it was in previous years, the hope is that the traffic management measures will mitigate and reduce the disruption caused by hundreds of thousands of racegoers as they make their way through the town.

The measures that have been put in place this year include road closures, one- way traffic systems, and speed limits in the busiest areas.

A map has been made to show what traffic management methods have been put in place and where.

Bracknell News:

The two busiest times of the days across the event that need the most management include the arrival phase (10:30 – 1:30pm) and the departure phase (5pm – 8pm).

During the morning as racegoers arrive at the racecourse, a road closure has been put in place at the top of Burleigh Road with the junction of Kennel Avenue. This will allow for local deliveries and journeys for residents but not taxi’s and vehicles with guests to Royal Ascot.

Other road closures in the morning include the southbound route on the A330 towards Sheperds White roundabout and the A330 Winkfield Road northbound from it’s junction with A329 London Road to Sheperds White.

There will be one-way traffic southbound, along A332 Windsor Road, from the junction with Lovel Lane to Shepherds White roundabout.

Northbound traffic on the A332 Windsor Road, arriving at Shepherds White roundabout will be directed left, up the Winkfield Road A330.

As racegoers depart from the town from 5pm to 8pm, further road management features will open up around the town.

Bracknell News:

This includes one-way traffic northbound along A332 Windsor Road, one-way traffic northbound along A330 Winkfield Road, and one-way traffic Northbound along A332 Windsor Road, from Shepherds White roundabout to Peanut roundabout.

All traffic will be eastbound from 5pm to 8pm only on New Mile Road between Winkfield Road and Cheapside Road.

Burleigh Road will be closed at the south end, at the junction with the A332 Windsor Road.

For those travelling to car parks opposite the racecourse or down the high street, a 20mph speed limit will be in place along the entire high street for the duration of the event.

Traffic attendants will be in place to point drivers in the right direction, however residents and visitors have been advised to avoid the high street if possible.