Thanks to Maxine from Newport Parish council for sharing this latest news. 502 completed surveys were returned out of 1,500 across Newport North and part of Newport Central wards. Ed
Newport Parish Council have just revealed their initial findings following their second survey of households in the vicinity of the Isle of Wight Festival site at Seaclose Park.
70% support festival but 60% thought traffic problems were avoidable
Cllr Shirley Smart, Chairman of the Parish Planning & Licensing Committee said, “this year we extended the survey area to take in more properties closer to the town centre between Seaclose and the main shopping area.” She went onto to say, “last year we had an unprecedented response and we promised local residents that we would ask for their views again after the event this year.”
What is most revealing about the latest survey findings is that over 70% of local residents continue to support holding the annual event at Seaclose and that is despite the fact that close to 60% thought that the problems in terms of traffic congestion/parking on the first two days were, at best, avoidable.
80% believed contingency planning inadequate or worse
In that particular context it is important to note that over 80% believe the planning for adverse weather conditions on the part of the promoters, the Council, the police and the ferry operators was inadequate or worse.
70% unhappy with 90,000 capacity
When highlighting the continued local support for the event Cllr Smart said, “I welcome this as the Parish Council have consistently supported the festival but it is important to note that, after what happened this year, the number of households that are uncomfortable with the possibility of a progressive increase to 90,000 people at the event has increased to over 70% of those who responded.”
Over 55% believe licence should be reviewed
It is perhaps interesting to note that the Parish Council had the foresight to ask local residents whether, in their view, the licence for the festival should be reviewed.
The questionnaires were sent out and most of the responses had been received before news broke about the move by GKN Aerospace to have the license for the festival reviewed but nevertheless over 55% of local people think that there should be a review.
Taking active role in review
The Parish Council hope to take an active role in the forthcoming review and will use their resident surveys as an information base in formulating their comments and seek to make sure that the interests and well being of local residents is a primary consideration.
The Parish Council will continue to analyse the results and, in due course, they will be shared with the promoters, the Council and all other interested parties.
Image: Rob Gallop under CC BY 2.0
