Local residents and businesses are justifiably annoyed with the Earl of Devon over the upcoming concert weekend staring on 26th June, which will cause 4 days of traffic chaos to residents, local businesses and tourists on change over day.
Local Cllrs have been criticized for not sufficiently informing locals in advance and the 3 'Community Meetings' held in Kenton, Starcross and Cockwood (on 10th, 16th, 18th June respectively), prior to the event and at the 11th hour seem like a hollow attempt on the part of the Powderham Estate to appear community minded. Conveniently the late hour of these 'consultations' gives little time for locals to organize any opposition to an event which is already being set up.
Local Councils knew about the event well in advance, licences have to be issued and traffic and health and safety officers assigned to this huge event, where numbers are expected to be around 125,000.
So why weren't residents on the West side of the Exe and Dawlish informed well in advance by all the Liberal Democrat Cllrs elected to Dawlish and the villages? And why did the Parish Councils in Kenton and Starcoss not foresee problems and residents concerns in advance?
All 3 levels of local government have neglected their duties, despite attempts by Liberal Democrats to shift the blame to the lower tiers. That includes our MP Martin Wrigley who is still a District Councillor and who conveniently shifted the focus to his co-Cllrs and the Parish Councils. People should remember that he is still a Cllr and not just a MP. This example proves he cannot do both roles.
These 3 meetings were not well publicized and only known by those following certain social media pages it seems.
The Powderham Estate manager also requested that the meetings were not discussed on the internet. He has no right to request such a thing.
The local press has only reported the matter in terms of road closures. The real story should focus on a two-tier system where an aristocrat will make millions in one weekend, whereas local people will be inconvenienced and local businesses fears the financial hit that 4 days of traffic chaos will cause. We have already seen the impact of smaller concerts to date at Powderham, turning the lanes into rat-runs and the negative impact of the Dawlish Grand Prix cycling event last summer on traffic flow.
Are large concerts at Powderham numbering well over 100000 people here to stay? And could they get even bigger?
Please 