Raceday Traffic Management Plan 2026 Season

Overview:

1. There are 18 racedays planned for 2026 – the dates are available on our website
2. Much of the plan will be familiar from previous years.
3. The traffic management plan will be delivered by North Yorkshire based Event Traffic Control (ETC) Ltd. who have experience of working at York Racecourse and other venues across the country.

The key changes:

Please click here to download a clearer version of the map.

A short section of Campleshon/Knavesmire Road, at the junction with Racecourse Road known as Kidney Island, will be CLOSED to general traffic (it remains open to shuttle and service buses, cyclists and pedestrians.)

To better protect South Bank and The Chocolate Works the closure will operate from earlier than in previous years, starting at 10am, ending at approximately 7pm (variable by size of raceday crowd)

1. The service buses numbers 11 & 21 will be able to complete the South Bank Loop as they will be able to cross the closed section of road.Please note it remains the responsibility of the bus operating company as to whether they deliver their normal timetables on racedays.
2. There will be two-way traffic on Knavesmire Road between Knavesmire Crescent & Tadcaster Road, a third lane will be temporarily created to allow for a “tidal flow” split of lanes 2:1 either in/out at the start/end of the raceday.
3. Car Park D must be approached from Campleshon Road.Drivers wishing to access Car Park D from Knavesmire Road will be directed to Car Park A.
4. Car Park A must be approached from Knavesmire Road from Tadcaster Road. Drivers wishing to access Car Park A from Bishopthorpe Road will be directed to Car Park C.
5. Greater protections will be offered for residents of South Bank and The Chocolate Works based on an approved resident access scheme.

Hackney Carriages & Private Hire Vehicles

1. Licensed Hackney Carriages will use a newly created drop off/pick up point to be created inside Car Park D which must be approached from Campleshon Road. There should be no drop and pick up in any other location at the racecourse or in residential areas.
2. The existing drop off and pick up zone for private hire vehicles (including Uber etc) in Car Park A (North) will be maintained. This must be accessed from Knavesmire Road.
3. A second dedicated drop off/pick up point will be added for private hire vehicles in Car Park C (South.) This must be accessed from Bishopthorpe Road.

Resident Access Zone

1. Our intention is to better protect residents from the consequences of visiting vehicles (and their passengers.) Therefore, some roads will be closed from 10:00am until around 7pm on each raceday. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order is in place to allow for this. These times will be varied for our events involving live music after racing and the evening meeting in July.
2. We recognise the potential for disruption to residents, businesses and other organisations with premises with the Resident Access Zone. We will therefore issue a Residents Access Pass to each household within this area. By displaying this pass in the windscreen of your vehicle residents will be able to pass through the raceday road closures.
3. The Residents Pass will not entitle drivers to use the closed section of Campleshon & Knavesmire Roads in the vicinity of Kidney Island. This will be open to buses and emergency vehicles only.
4. Please note these passes are not transferable and are only valid when the vehicle number plate is written in the space provided. Please do not photocopy passes – an additional pass can be obtained by bringing your proof of address to the racecourse during our normal office hours which are 0900 – 1700 Monday (excluding bank holidays) to Friday.
5. Our stewards will take a common-sense approach to allow the following drivers access to the Residents Access Zone who are not in possession of a pass:
6. Emergency Vehicles
7. Visiting family members.
8. Medical & Home Care Workers
9. Delivery Drivers & Couriers
10. Tradesmen & Women
11. Customers of local businesses
12. Visitors to Local Community Organisations
13. We are in direct contact with local businesses and organisations so that we can best support them, their customers, service users and workers.