Leeds United supporters issued warning not to walk on M621 after minibus drops fans off on motorway slip road - YEP 10/8/22
Football fans attending games at Leeds United are being warned not to walk along part of a motorway to get to Elland Road.
By Alex Grant
National Highways said it had become aware of minibuses
dropping off passengers on the entry and exit slip roads at junction two of the
M621, close to the ground.
It comes as the M621 is set to be closed overnight between
August 9 and August 21 for a series of major improvement works to key junctions
and slip roads.
“We are aware that minibuses taking sports fans to Elland
Road regularly drop off their passengers on the entry and exit slip roads at
junction 2, letting them walk the rest of the way.
"Not only is it extremely dangerous for vehicles to
stop there, it’s incredibly risky, not to mention illegal, for people to be
walking on any part of the motorway.
“We urge anyone taking people to the stadium to find a much
better and safer stopping place off the motorway.”
During preparations for the closure, National Highways said
there had been 11 recorded incidents of vehicles or pedestrians entering
coned-off works areas, people were seen walking on the motorway on three
occasions.
“All three of those instances were in the evening, all three
people appeared to be intoxicated and when stopped they all said walking along
the motorway was the quickest way for them to get home. They possibly hadn’t
considered the dangers involved." Mr Finnigan added.
Improvements to the carriageway promise to ease congestion,
increase capacity and enhance safety.