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WOMAD organisers have been calming worried residents' fears over a repeat of last years parking problems when the festival descends on Malmesbury in July.

Festival organiser Chris Smith and Malmesbury police have been meeting with parish councils surrounding the town to try and convince locals that they are prepared for the surge of cars to the area on the weekend July 25-27.

Last year villages such as Milbourne, Corston and Charlton, where the festival is being held, came to a standstill.

The traffic problems were blamed on the appalling weather conditions, which resulted in hundreds of cars blocking the roads because the fields at Charlton Park were too bogged down to cope with the cars parking.

Mr Smith, who met with worried villagers in Corston Church last Thursday said: "We completely understand resident's fears and that's why we go to the parish council meetings.

"We can't sort these things unless we talk to them.

"If we are honest with people and admit that it went wrong and say why and say we want to sort it out it is much better for everyone.

"I think we have to remember that we have been doing this for 25 years and last year's experience was unique.

"It was the extreme weather conditions that we experienced last year that made things very difficult."

WOMAD has now agreed with the police that there will be a large No parking zone around Milbourne and Charlton.

There will also be tow trucks in operation and vehicles will be clamped if found parking in the exclusion zones.

"It is a one in 100 year event to have weather like that," Said Mr Smith "Having said that we are planning on the basis that it could happen against so we are fully prepared."

The festival organisers are submitting a new licence application to North Wiltshire District Council at the end of the week because the site plan has undergone so may changes.

Councillor Ian Henderson, who has been representing worried villagers said: "The organisers have been at grass roots level to reassure people.

"People are very keen that this event should go ahead and flourish and we are very proud of it.

"I shall be watching very carefully to see how it pans out but I am confident they have got it right this time having met with them last week."

David Ville, who lives in Milbourne, is pleased with the new plans after he raised concerns about ambulance access for his wife Shirley.

He said: "We love WOMAD but we can't have last years problems.

"Other people attacked me for it but they don't have a very sick wife like I do who may need an ambulance.

"I'm pleased they have been listening though and sorting it out. Hopefully the weather will be better too and that will help."

4:11pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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