MOTORISTS using the A1 in North Yorkshire are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys next week due to the Great Yorkshire Show.

More than 130,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Harrogate showground for the three-day event starting on July 9.

To help manage traffic on the A1, the northbound exit slip road for the A59 - junction 47 - will be closed with drivers signed to use junction 46 for Wetherby.

There will also be a dedicated lane for show traffic on the southbound A1 to exit at junction 47.

Dave Skupski of Highways England said: “To make it safer for drivers, this year we will be closing the northbound exit slip road at junction 47.

"This will prevent queues forming on the hard shoulder and lane one. We are advising drivers to follow the clearly signed routes to the show.

"Drivers on the northbound A1M should use junction 46 for Wetherby and those heading from the north should use junction 47, where there will be a dedicated lane to exit the motorway."

Highways England traffic officers will also be attending the event, talking to visitors about their role, what they do to keep traffic moving smoothly and providing advice on safe driving on motorways. 

Information on closures on the A1(M) can be found here or by following Highways England’s regional Twitter feed at @HighwaysYORKS.