New collaboration with Google to ease Electric Picnic traffic in Laois
Google Maps will now show road closures and direct festival goers to car parks
Electric Picnic organisers, Google and Gardaí have teamed up to allow a smooth traffic flow at this year’s festival in Stradbally.
The collaboration comes a year after Gardaí blamed Sat Navs for delays and traffic issues at the festival.
Laois Offaly Garda Inspector and traffic operation commander, Ralph Holmes, is hopeful that changes will alleviate the inevitable traffic disruption from the Electric Picnic.
“This year there has been a lot of work between Google, Electric Picnic and ourselves in relation to Google Maps in particular,” said Inspector Holmes.
He explained that road closures which begin on the morning of Thursday, August 27 on the Abbeyleix/Cork Road and the Timahoe Road will be visible on Google Maps.
“The junction closures which we have on Junction 16 and Junction 17 for egress on Monday morning will be visible on Google Maps as well,” said Insp Holmes. Those closures will enable the Gardaí to open two lanes of traffic when the crowds are leaving after the festival.
Inspector Holmes said another change from last year will see people who are looking for parking will now be directed to the car parks by Google Maps. He said festival organisers remain in contact with Google.
“It is a direct line of communication between Electric Picnic and Google and we are consulted,” explained Insp Holmes.
He said the gates had already opened for camper vans at 12 on Wednesday and Stradbally village is very busy.
“The Garda Traffic Plan is in place, from tomorrow morning it will be in full effect,” said Insp Holmes.
He advised people to give themselves plenty of time when travelling to the festival and he said it will be busy as people approach the site.
Inspector Holmes urged people not to use mobile phones behind the wheel and to never ever drive under the influence of drink or drugs.
“There will be mandatory testing checkpoints around the site and Stradbally each day of the festival,” he said.
He asked motorists to please follow the signs and the directions of Gardai.