Decision to go ahead with music festival defended

Chris Smith was challenged by Malmesbury councillors anxious about the large number of people it will bring into the area.

The four day event at nearby Charlton Park typically attracts more than 30,000 festivalgoers.

In a meeting this week, Cllr Julie Exton told colleagues: “I’m very concerned about Womad being on his year. I don’t think it’s the right year to start, and I think bringing lots and lots of people from all over to our small town is something I’m concerned about.”

Mr Smith said he understood and would work alongside both council and government guidance.

He said: “We are very aware this is not a show that is over in terms of the bridges we need to cross in interacting and talking with the local community, offering reassurances where they are required and listening to concerns when they are expressed.

He said: “We’ve had a lot of positive comments from people and some concern with people wanting to roll tickets to 2022 but broadly the feedback has been positive.

"We want to reassure the community of Malmesbury that we have their interests at heart, as we feel ourselves part of this community.”

Councillors at Tuesday’s meeting also discussed town centre social distancing measures installed last year, when parking spaces were temorarily removed to make space and bollards and flower planters were put in.

Signage and information boards were also put up to help visitors move around the town centre safely.

Mayor Campbell Ritchie said he was in discussion with Wiltshire Council how best to remove some of the measures.

The bollards in the town centre could be removed by June when, under the government’s roadmap, social distancing would not be required.

“We are looking to get further information from Wiltshire Council as soon as possible," Mayor Ritchie explained.

“We have to be guided by public health guidance. It’s just like Womad, they are operating in accordance with guidance. If social distancing carries on then it will be in the best interests in the community to maintain extra space in the High Street for their own safety.”

Malmesbury when the measures were brought in and, inset, Mayor Ritchie

New disabled bays and loading bays created in the town centre are likely to be in place until next January to give councillors the chance to decide if they work better than previous parking arrangements.

Cllr Ritchie said: “There was good reasons for the layouts put in place to enable our local businesses to continue to operate safely while social distancing is required.”