Highways England is advising motorists to plan their journeys along the A303 ahead of the summer solstice at Stonehenge.

Crowds of up to 25,000 people are expected to visit Stonehenge today and into the morning of Wednesday, June 21.

With limited parking on site visitors are urged to use public transport or car share.

Highways England is warning drivers of the risk of potential delays in the event of queues forming from the A360 back to the A303.

English Heritage is also asking visitors not to be tempted to abandon vehicles and park them either on the A303 or other neighbouring roads and public rights of way.

Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away.

Gareth Price, Highways England emergency planning officer for the south west, said: “Congestion can be expected on the westbound A303 during the Tuesday afternoon and evening as people travel to the event, and our aim is to keep the Highways England network running whilst keeping road users safe and informed.

To assist traffic flow, a 40mph speed limit will be in place on the A303 between the Countess roundabout and Longbarrow roundabout, with the lay-bys closed in between, the A303 dual carriageway between Countess roundabout and Stonehenge Cottages will be reduced to a single lane.

A temporary pedestrian crossing on the A303 outside Stonehenge Cottages will help visitors walking to the event.

Mr Price said: “The traffic management will be in place for safety and to keep disruption to a minimum, and we advise all road users to check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time.”

Highways England provides live traffic information via its website at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic

Travel information is also available by phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 and updates will be provided via Twitter.

For more information on the summer solstice go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/plan-your-visit/summer-solstice

Meanwhile police have been on duty at Avebury since early this morning and signs put up by the National Trust warn against lighting fires or Chinese lanterns, flying drones or camping. 

See our picture gallery online tomorrow morning