Visitors to Leicester advised to anticipate localised congestion on Saturday May 7
Issued on behalf of Leicestershire Constabulary, Leicester City Council, Leicester City Football Club, and Leicester Tigers Rugby Football Club


Visitors to Leicester city centre are being advised to anticipate congestion and heavier than usual demand for parking spaces on Saturday, May 7.  Unusually both Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers RFC will be holding home matches on the same day. Around 48,000 people are expected at the two events.

Leicestershire Constabulary and Leicester City Council will deploy extra resources to minimise the disruption and to ensure access is maintained to the city’s major facilities.

However, there is expected to be higher than usual traffic flows between 2pm and 3.30pm, and some parking spaces near the sports venues will be difficult to find, particularly for the fans attending the rugby with the later kick-off time.

The timing of the two matches could not be changed because they each form the final league fixture for the clubs involved, and so have to take place at the same time as all other games in the respective leagues.

The Leicester City versus Ipswich match is due to kick off at 12.45pm, and would expect to finish around 2.45pm. It will be followed by a lap of appreciation by home players.

The Leicester Tigers versus London Irish match is due to kick off at 3pm, and is expected to finish at around 5pm.

Sarah Harrison, the city centre director, said: “I would like to stress that Leicester’s retailers are open for business as usual. Shoppers and sports fans alike might want to consider arriving earlier than usual to avoid the congestion, and making it a proper day out by having lunch in the city before going on to the shops or sports grounds.”

 Visitors to Leicester should:

Allow extra time for their journeys if travelling through this part of the city at these times
Use public transport and park-and-ride services wherever possible to reduce traffic around both stadiums before and after kick-off.
Visitors to the football should:

-          buy tickets for the match in advance to avoid congestion around the Ticket Office (0844 815 5000, http://www.lcfc.com/page/BuyHomeTickets/0,,10274,00.html )

-          Travel in multiple occupancy vehicles if travel by car is essential, potentially using the LCFC Carshare Scheme http://www.liftshare.com/v3/pages/default.asp?sid=810&sid2=798&sid3=1474&skin=fccarshare&lang=EN&country=GB

Visitors to the rugby should:

Arrive at the stadium as early as possible, preferably by 2.30pm.

Walk or travel to the ground by public transport as many parking spaces will not be available. Tigers are operating a supporters' bus from Market Harborough for the game, picking up at Kibworth and Fleckney, on the way to Welford Road. For details or bookings contact Paul Hayes in Tigers supporters services on 0844 856 1880 or email paul.hayes@tigers.co.uk