Traffic disruption at showground events

I AM writing to express my profound dissatisfaction with the severe lack of organisation and foresight demonstrated during the events held at Newbury Showground on April 13, 2024.

The simultaneous scheduling of the All About Dogs and Newbury Garden Show events resulted in extreme traffic congestion, which profoundly impacted hundreds of motorists, myself included.

On the aforementioned date, I encountered a nearly standstill traffic situation on the A34 northbound leading to the M4.

This congestion significantly delayed my travel, turning what should have been a brief passage of one to two miles into an exasperating journey lasting over two hours.

Such an extensive delay is unacceptable and indicates a glaring oversight in event management and communication. The lack of visible signage or prior warning about the events and the potential for heavy traffic was a major oversight.

The absence of such basic considerations for local and passing traffic not only caused considerable inconvenience but also reflects poorly on Newbury Showground.

Furthermore, there was no evident involvement from local authorities or police to manage the traffic or provide assistance, which could have mitigated the impact on thousands of affected road users. This oversight meant that drivers were left to navigate the chaos without guidance, exacerbating the congestion and the frustration felt by all.

The repercussions of this mismanagement extended beyond mere inconvenience; it resulted in lost time and fuel, which has economic implications for all affected.

The lack of foresight in handling such a predictable issue as traffic influx for a double-event day is concerning and requires immediate address and reassessment of event management protocols.

Therefore, I urge Newbury Showground to:

Provide a detailed explanation as

to why there was an apparent lack of traffic management and communication regarding the events of April 13.

Outline the steps Newbury Showground will take to ensure that future events do not disrupt local and passing traffic to this extent.

Consider implementing a system of advance traffic alerts and appropriate signage for all future events.

The success of an event should not come at the cost of the public’s convenience and schedules.

I hope to see significant improvements in event management strategies that consider the broader impact on the community and its daily activities. DAVID GALE

Newbury