EXCITEMENT is rising in the run-up to this year’s V Festival which will host British rock legends the Stone Roses.

Back for the seventh year, the event will see around 180,000 music lovers pass through the gates at Hylands Park in Chelmsford this weekend.

Joining the legendary Mancunian rockers on the V Festival’s Virgin Media stage will be American band The Killers.

Other acts include popular US rapper Nicki Minaj, Snow Patrol, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Tinie Tempah, Example, Suffolk’s Ed Sheeran, James Morrison, Tom Jones and Olly Murs.

Festival director Simon Moran said: “We’re really delighted with the line-up this year.

“We have a great mix of artists topping a bill that will see the welcome return to live performance of Manchester’s finest export, along with some of the biggest acts in the music industry today.

“The mix of established and exciting breakthrough acts promises to give festival goers a cracking weekend.“

Those looking for a bit of luxury can opt to stay in luxury Pod Pads, Cloud Yurts, Hearthworks Tipis or on one of the pop-up hotel rooms available.

But Essex Police have warned the public to expect some disruption in the town and on surrounding roads, which will be busier than usual.

The festival will coincide with two protest marches planned in Chelmsford on Saturday. The English Defence League and Unite Against Fascism have informed police they will be holding rallies at around 1pm over plans to a extend a mosque in the city.

Chief Superintendent Tim Stokes said: “While we would not want to have a protest march in Chelmsford at the same time as the V Festival, we accept the right of those who wish to hold a peaceful, lawful protest and will facilitate it.

“However, our priority is public safety and we will do everything in our power to bring to justice anyone who breaks the law.”

Essex County Council has also announced some temporary traffic measurements to ease congestion around the site. Widford Park Estate, Writtle Estate, The Priory & Romans Way, Writtle and Margaretting Road will be closed all weekend. There will also be restrictions along the A414.

There will be parking restrictions put in place on the local roads along with a temporary 30mph speed restriction on the A414 London Road, A414 Greenbury Way, Margaretting Road, Writtle Road and Wantz Road.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Derrick Louis said: “The V Festival is one of the most successful events on the music calendar, so naturally it brings a lot more traffic to the area.

“It is important for us to ensure that effective traffic management measures are in place, to not only to aid the flow of festival traffic, but to make sure disruption to local residents is at a minimum.”