Campus access and parking restrictions during Roses 2026
Roses 2026, the annual sports tournament between Lancaster and York Universities, will take place from Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May, affecting access to the main campus, the Sports Centre, and bus services over the weekend.
Bigforth Drive (the main University drive) will be closed from 5.30pm on Friday 1 May until 8pm on Sunday 3 May.
North Drive and the Underpass will be closed from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 2 May for a cycling event. The closure will be in place from the to the . Vehicles parked on North Campus will not be able to be moved for the duration of the event.
Campus access
All vehicles will be required to enter and leave campus . Cycle and pedestrian routes will remain open.
Road users who are travelling north of the University along the A6 are encouraged to leave campus via Alexandra Park, turn left onto Hazelrigg Lane, and continue past Forrest Hills, to ease traffic congestion.
From 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 2 May, vehicles parked in or entering the area between the and the will not be able to leave campus, either northbound or southbound (due to the one-way system in place along South Drive). Road users who plan to leave campus during this time are advised to park outside of this area. Deliveries to this area should not be scheduled during this time.
Roses support staff will be in place at the to manage traffic flow and pedestrian routes.
Bus and coach services
All scheduled bus and coach services will enter and leave campus . There will be disruption to regular bus routes on campus during this time:
1 to 3 May (Bigforth Drive closure)
- From 5pm on Friday 1 May until 8pm on Sunday 3 May, the 1/1A, 4/X4 and 100 services will operate via Hazelrigg Lane, Southwest Campus, the Underpass, Southwest Campus and Hazlerigg Lane.
- The 41 and 42 services will operate via the A6 (in both directions).
2 May (Bigforth Drive, North Drive and Underpass closures)
- From 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 2 May, the 1A, 4/4X and 100 services will operate via Hazelrigg Lane, Southwest Campus loop and Hazelrigg Lane.
- The 41 and 42 services will operate via the A6 (in both directions).
Sports Centre bus stops
Both bus stops outside the Sports Centre will be closed. Alternative bus stops are available on the A6 by the Bigforth Drive entrance.
Megabus and Flixbus
Coach services will continue to use the Underpass as normal, except during the cycling event from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 2 May. During this time they will operate from the .
Sports Centre parking
The main Sports Centre and Bowling Green car parks will be closed from 10pm on Wednesday 29 April and reopen on Tuesday 5 May.
Alternative parking for Sports Centre users is available on the , accessed via Green Lane, however parking will be limited. Parking is also available on main campus (including the Health Innovation Campus) and Alexandra Park.
There will be no charge for parking from Thursday 30 April to Monday 4 May inclusive. Visit the car parking webpages for alternative parking locations on campus.
Find out more about the disruption to Sport Lancaster during the Roses 2026 weekend.
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