Park-and-ride facilities will be set up at Rugby Avenue in Coleraine on Saturday, June 20, as the town prepares to host Armed Forces Day with an anticipated crowd of 25,000. Police are warning of significant traffic disruption and urging motorists to find alternative routes if they are not attending.

Additional park-and-walk locations will be available at the Vineyard, the Crescent, and Northern Regional College. Accessible parking with a shuttle bus will operate from Market Yard, but drivers must pre-book spaces. Signposted diversions and traffic management personnel will be deployed to assist with the expected congestion.

The event, organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, was last held in Coleraine in 2018. Activities begin at 10am, with a quiet period starting at 10.15am. The programme includes a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota fly-past, an RAF Falcons parachute display, a flag abseil, a gun salute, and an interactive military village.

Two processions will take place through the town centre. The first parade departs Coleraine Leisure Centre at 10.45am, travelling via Railway Road, Mill Street, Long Commons, Kingsgate Street, Church Street to the Diamond. A second parade at 11.30am follows the same route before continuing along Queen Street, Circular Road, Coleraine Old Bridge, Strand Road to Christie Park.

Road restrictions will apply from Friday evening. Christie Park and Coleraine Leisure Centre will be closed to the public from 6pm on Friday, June 19, until approximately 6pm on Saturday. On the day itself, Strand Road will be reduced to a single lane from 7am, and airspace over the town will be restricted between 6am and 8pm.

The PSNI asked visitors to enjoy the family-oriented occasion safely and to act responsibly, and they reminded those travelling to arrive early and park in designated areas.