Traffic chaoas around Download did NOT breach traffic or noise licence conditions
An investigation was launched after some spent 13 hours stuck in traffic
An investigation into the chaotic traffic scenes around this year’s Download festival has concluded the event did not breach traffic or noise licence conditions. The music festival which took place in June left some motorists queuing for up to 13 hours to get into Donington Park.
The Castle Donington festival ran for four days for the first time this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and saw more than 100,000 people attend. This caused major problems on the nearby roads, seeing thousands of people stuck on the M1, A42, A453 and A50 for hours.
Download bosses apologised at the time for the severe traffic issues and National Highways said it would review the events “to see if any lessons can be learnt”. North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) also launched its own investigation into the disruption to check whether or not licence conditions were breached after receiving more than 200 complaints.
The local authority has now concluded there was no breach of traffic management or noise control measures, the cause of the majority of those complaints. However, as the events licence for Donnington Park dates back to 2005, the council has advised that some conditions of the licence are tightened.
These include conditions are community consultation and traffic management plans. These would reduce the impact the festival, and other events hosted at the race track, have on nearby roads and communities, NWLDC has said.
Councillor Richard Blunt, leader of NWLDC, said: “We’re very proud of the international reputation of Donington Park as a race circuit and venue, and welcome the annual pilgrimage of rock and metal fans to the Download Festival, but know events of this size impact our local communities. Following concerns raised this year we have worked with partner agencies including Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire County Council and National Highways to ensure the conditions of the licence were met, and to understand if there are ways to reduce disruption.
“Given the age of the licence we have suggested the event organiser and licence holder look to change some of the conditions to prevent the scenes and complaints we received this year.”
Andy Copping, Executive President of UK Touring, Live Nation, said: “Download Festival has committed to a full review and overhaul of operations with a brand-new production team to not only meet these conditions, but to exceed them and elevate the event experience for attendees, local businesses and the local community.”