Octagon Announce Revised Traffic Plan for Silverstone

Octagon Motorsports, the promoters of the British Grand Prix, announced on Monday a revised 'Masterplan' aimed at improving the traffic problems at the Silverstone circuit, home of the Formula One event.

The joint Masterplan between Octagon, the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was originally launched in June this year, but has been revised to "allow greater emphasis on both access and parking, as well as providing additional facilities for the public."

According to Octagon, works to be completed ahead of the 2002 British Grand Prix, scheduled for July 7, will incur costs of £10.6 million and will complete Phase 1 of the Masterplan.

"The £10.6 million investment is already well under way and we have always placed emphasis on improving facilities for public access to Silverstone," said Rob Bain, chief executive of Octagon Motorsports.

"Since we announced our plans ahead of this year's Grand Prix, all parties have agreed to revise the Masterplan, so as to give greater emphasis to the substantial improvements relating to both access and parking.

"We are determined to ensure that the investment pledged by all parties will secure Silverstone's future within international motorsport."

The seven-point plan include the construction of new additional lanes connecting the new Silverstone bypass, bigger car parking areas which will be able to accommodate approximately 15,000 cars and a new road system.

The announcement comes amid rumours suggesting that the race could be dumped from the calendar next season.

The race at Silverstone is currently provisional on the 2002 Formula One calendar pending an enquiry into traffic problems at the track. The FIA's world motorsport council will meet in Monaco on Friday in order to decide if Silverstone keeps its place on the calendar.