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County council helps to steer race day traffic into the home straight

Published
Gloucestershire County Council is taking action to rein in congestion ahead of the famed Cheltenham Festival, taking place from 10 – 13 March 2026.

The council and its partners are saddling up to prepare for the iconic event which attracts around a quarter of a million visitors each year.  

Arle Court Transport Hub will be hosting a park and ride bus service every 15 minutes to the racecourse in conjunction with Cheltenham Racecourse and Stagecoach. Conveniently located near the A40 in Cheltenham, Arle Court Transport Hub offers state-of-the-art facilities including a brand-new multi-storey car park with 1,000 spaces, 100 x 7kW EV chargepoints, an expanded bus terminal providing comfortable indoor and outdoor waiting areas, real-time information screens, a customer service desk and toilets.  

The first bus will leave Arle Court Transport Hub at 9:15am and the last at 2.30pm. Return buses outbound will run from 4pm until 7.30pm. The car park will close at 10pm each evening. Tickets for the park and ride with the racecourse shuttle bus are £15 per car/day and one ticket will cover all car passengers up to five people.  

The council encourages car-sharing to minimise congestion and urges groups travelling together to have a nominated driver for safe and responsible race day journeys. Keep an eye out for a fun new photo opportunity celebrating smoother journeys at Arle Court Transport Hub!   

In collaboration with local agencies, Gloucestershire County Council’s Highways teams have been working behind the scenes to accommodate the influx of visitors. The county council will postpone all planned roadworks in the area, including minor repairs and major projects such as the A435 cycleway. In the event of any urgent streetworks that cannot be postponed, the council will coordinate with utility companies to minimise disruption as much as possible.  

The final hurdles are being cleared in extensive work to fix the A40 at Hambrook(Spring) Bridge, and we are working hard to reopen the road ahead of the races. 

Travel advice for festival goers  

Visitors are encouraged to: 

  • Consider using the Arle Court Transport Hub for a hassle-free journey:  Book tickets. 

Cllr. Joe Harris, cabinet member for Highways, said: “We’re working behind the scenes to help the prestigious event run smoothly, together with Cheltenham Borough Council, The Jockey Club, Gloucestershire Constabulary, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. We’re making every effort to minimise congestion, keep people safe and provide a fantastic welcome to the county — we’re determined to be first past the post when it comes to delivering a great experience.”