UPDATED 15:59*
ANYONE planning to view the historic Olympic torch relay on the Isle of Wight on Saturday has been advised to use public transport or walk to the event.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets and traffic in towns and along the route is predicted to be heavy before and after the torch arrives.
Due to the recent wet weather and predicted conditions leading up to Saturday’s relay, overflow car parks in Yarmouth and East Cowes may not be available, meaning there will be limited parking in these areas, said an Isle of Wight Council spokesman.
Parking at the Needles Pleasure Park will be on a first-come first-served basis. Residents will be able to get free parking on the day on presentation of a voucher printed in last week’s Olympic torch supplement in the County Press, together with and proof of Island residence, such as a utility bill or photo ID with an address.
For spectator safety, and to allow the torch convoy to move through town centres without obstruction, there will be no on-street parking in Yarmouth town centre, Newport High Street and York Avenue in East Cowes for the day.
Parking enforcement officers will be on duty during the relay to ensure no vehicles are parked dangerously or causing an obstruction.
Buses will be available between 10am and 4pm to help people avoid driving into the town centre.
There will be free parking at Fort Victoria where residents can leave their vehicles and walk to Yarmouth town centre.
Southern Vectis will provide park and ride services into Newport town centre from the IW College and Newport Football Club.
The bus company also plans to add services during the relay on busy routes. These are, as follows:
Routes 2, 3 and 8 — Sandown to Newport — between 12.30pm and 2.20pm, with a return to Sandown between 3.15pm and 4pm.
Routes 2 and 3 — Shanklin to Newport — between noon and 2.05pm, with a return to Shanklin between 3.15pm and 4pm.
Route 3 — Ventnor to Newport — between 12.40pm and 2.10pm with return to Ventnor between 3.15pm and 4pm.
Route 4 — Ryde to East Cowes — 11.50pm until 1.50pm with return to Ryde between 4pm and 5pm.
Route 5 — Newport to East Cowes — 12pm until 2.30pm with return to Newport between 4pm and 5pm.
Route 7 — Newport to Yarmouth and Alum Bay — between 11.15am and 1.15pm with return to Newport between 2pm and 3pm.
A full list of roads affected by the torch relay are as follows:
*Totland: No parking will be available on Colwell Common Road during the day. On-street parking will be suspended between Colwell Road roundabout through to Madeira Road roundabout.
No parking will be available along Alum Bay Road from New Road junction and Alum Bay Road will be closed to all traffic from 12.30pm or as soon as the Needles car park is full.
Yarmouth: River Road, Quay Street, Pier Street, The Square and High Street will have its one-way system suspended. Vehicles will be stopped from entering The Square from St James Street and directed into Bridge Road.
A road closure will be in force in South Street from Ommaney Road from 1.20pm. Access to the sailing club and residents will be available until this time.
The road closure in South Street will extend to the Tennyson Road junction from 1.30pm.
Yarmouth Bridge will be closed to river traffic between 10am and 2.30pm.
Gunville: there will be no on-street parking all day
Carisbrooke: Carisbrooke High Street, at the roundabout, will be closed to Gunville-bound traffic between 2.30pm until 2.50pm.
Newport: There will be no on-street parking in the High Street through to Coppins Bridge all day.
The High Street, at the junction of St James’ Square through to Coppins Bridge, will be closed to all traffic between 2.00pm and 3.30pm. This is to allow for the area to be pedestrianised.
East Cowes: There will be no parking on York Avenue and Well Road all day.
Rolling road closures will be in place along the route and will be in force when the torch passes through each area.
Residents travelling from Cowes on the floating bridge are encouraged to walk instead of using their cars.
Information on the torch relay can be found at www.iwight.com/olympictorchrelay