Motorists warned of heavy traffic in Northampton as Saints and Cobblers play at home

Traffic came to a standstill in St James when Cobblers and Saints clashed in 2014. Stagered kick-offs have improved things since, but road users are being told to leave extra time for journeys.

Northampton Saints’ match against Sale Sharks at Franklin Gardens is due to kick off at 2pm today, while the Cobblers game against Cambridge United at Sixfields is set to start an hour later.

The staggered kick-offs introduced last season eased congestion when the two clubs home games’ clashed, but motorists are still being advised to leave extra time for journeys around Sixfields, St James, Upton and Duston both before and after kick-off.

The Saints match will finish about 4pm and the Cobblers at 4.50pm.

A Saints spokesman said; “The Saints recommends that supporters use the club’s official car parks on Edgar Mobbs Way, which open at 11am.

“And if supporters choose not to use these car parks then they must park with due care and respect for the needs of local residents and businesses.”

At Sixfields there will be live music in the fans’ village before kick off. Covers trio Dan Hughes Music are set to play from 1.30pm until 2.30pm.

A spokesman for the club said: “We are asking supporters to leave extra time getting to and from the game.

“The two clubs did kick off an hour apart on a few occasions last season and there weren’t too many issues, but we are just advising supporters it may take you a little while longer when they leave the stadium.

“Fans are welcome to head into one of our bars after the game to allow the traffic to clear a little.”