Residents Want Answers !

After Saturday’s fiasco at Hamptons (25.09.21), we’ve been contacted by a number of residents, who were deeply concerned by what they saw on local roads, and the shocking risk to public safety by a few idiots. Saturday’s event was an Indian Food Fair, organised by the Chelmsford Indian Association, with around 200-250 people attending (our estimate).

A Change in LOCAL parking conditions

Although Hamptons historically used the Tydeman’s Green for parking, they never owned it or had permission to park there. The photo below shows what used to happen.

When the venue was sold in 2020 to the Chelmsford Muslim Society (CMS), they rather assumed that right would continue. “Caveat Emptor”- buyer beware !

Once the ownership of the land had been clarified, the CMS were told by the owners (Clarion Gate) that no parking was to be allowed on what is a public open space for the estate, and that a parking management company (CPM 0345 463 5050) would issue tickets to anyone who did not comply.

Of course, that leaves Hamptons with just 98 onsite spaces, for a venue that potentially could hold 1,000+ people at any given time.

The venue is not compliant with Essex County Council parking standards, and any time more than 98 cars arrive, there will be conflict with locals for parking spaces, with a potential impact on local roads and highway safety.

Public transport options

Although there are plenty of bus routes that service the venue, the frequency of the services drops off after 6pm, and decreases even further at weekends. Anyone attending Hamptons after 11pm, would have to scurry to catch the solitary last bus at 11.23pm. This really only leaves private cars or mini cabs at the only viable transport option, unless you intend to cycle or walk.

Is there any overflow parking for Hamptons now ?

In short, very little. Apart from a few marked bays at the top of Tydemans, and the unloading bay, there’s not much available adjacent to the venue. Residents reported large numbers of cars driving through the estate on Saturday (25/09), looking for any scrap of parking.

Hamptons saw fit to only marshall the parking for an hour, which we find irresponsible, given the anticipated number of attendees.

And another major event is scheduled for October 9th

With a much larger event planned on October 9th, we fear that there will be far worse to come for locals residents.

With an estimated (by us) 250-300 attendees, where will all the cars park ? We would suggest that residents in Dorset Avenue, Beehive Lane, The Ridings and Clarion Gate are in for a disturbed evening, and that local roads will be gridlocked at times - unless a proper Travel and Parking Plan for Hamptons is drawn up.

EVENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Local residents can expect increased traffic and additional parking pressure on these dates;

6th November 2021
13th November 2021
31st December 2021

And don’t forget that if Hamptons/CMS are granted their CLEUD application, we could see this level of traffic and parking pressure every Friday.

With residents questions going unanswered on Hampton’s social media, maybe you’d consider contacting your local councillors to voice your concerns for public safety, and your right to a bit of peace and quiet in your own home.

Contact Your Councillors here.