Traffic warning as parades set to bring disruption across Causeway Coast and Glens

Motorists travelling through parts of Causeway Coast and Glens on Wednesday evening are being urged to plan ahead, with significant traffic disruption expected as a series of large parades take place across four towns across the borough.

The largest events are expected to attract substantial numbers of participants and spectators to Cloughmills, Garvagh, Coleraine and Limavady, with police warning that delays are likely throughout the evening.

For many drivers travelling between Ballymena, the north coast and the north west, the events are expected to affect some of the region’s busiest routes during the evening.

Parades expected to affect traffic across four towns

Police say the volume of participants and visitors attending the events means motorists should allow additional travel time and consider alternative routes where possible.

The most significant traffic management arrangements are expected in Coleraine, where a formal traffic management system will operate from approximately 6.30pm until around 10pm, when the parade concludes.

Drivers travelling to or from the north coast during those hours are likely to experience delays in and around the town centre.

Timings for each parade

The parade in Garvagh is scheduled to begin at 7.50pm and is expected to finish at approximately 9pm.

In Limavady, proceedings will begin at 8pm and continue until around 10.45pm, making it the latest finishing event of the evening.

The Cloughmills parade will commence at 8.30pm and is expected to conclude at around 9.25pm.

Large crowds are expected at each location, with increased pedestrian activity likely in town centres and surrounding streets throughout the evening.

Police advising drivers to avoid affected areas where possible

Local officers will be deployed across the affected towns to assist with traffic diversions, manage road closures and facilitate access for residents where required.

Police have advised anyone who does not intend to attend the events to avoid travelling through the affected areas if possible and to seek alternative routes to reduce congestion and minimise delays.

Road users are therefore being encouraged to check their routes before setting off and allow extra time for any journeys planned on Wednesday evening.