Reading Festival 2009

Its that time of year again; Reading prepares itself as the doors open on this years festival. The town gets many thousands of extra visitors, often causing jams from Thursday evening. Over 200 coaches will be heading for the site throughout the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.


For festival visitors there will be no access to parking at the festival site on Richfield Avenue, with all vehicles directed to car parks at Mapledurham and Kings Meadow where all parking is free. For those parking at Mapledurham, a pedestrian bridge has again been constructed into the site to ensure easy access to the festival. For those parking in Kings Meadow a boat service is provided free of charge to help transport everyone and their belongings to the festival.

This year, for the first time, Reading Borough Council is trialling a temporary night time closure of the Thames Path from Thursday August 27th to Saturday August August 29 inclusive. The closure will apply between Scours Lane to the far end of Thames Side Promenade. The excuse is that the Thames Valley Police want under security and safety grounds to reduce crime and fence jumping during the festival period. So that will make local residents happy!

Originally a jazz and blues event back in the 1960s, Reading has since left both genres in the past and is now widely regarded as one of the most essential rock festivals of the UK season. The August Bank Holiday weekender rotates its line-up with Leeds Festival.

The campsite has a legendary reputation for hard drinking and partying after the main arena closes, though others may wish to stay in the luxury of a pod pad, which are available to rent over the weekend. Visit www.podpads.com

Beat the jam and go greener, use public transport.
For timetables and enquiries call
Traveline 0871 200 2233
National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50

Park and Ride operates from (with the exception of Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday)
Showcase Cinema, Winnersh
Madejski Stasdium A33 (J11, M4)

See www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk for local traffic information and Park and Ride details

Residents' Hotline: 0118 958 5020


Reading Festival is set for a cloudy start on Friday (28 August) with highs of 16C before a sunny Saturday (29 August) will reach 19C.

Sunday (30 August) is set to be the hottest of the weekend with highs of 20C despite the weather only being fair.