Residents' feedback helped reduce complaints following MK Bowl concert

Changes were made in response to concerns raised by residents and local councillors over parking, litter, anti-social behaviour and a lack of waste facilities following the Reggae Land event that took place during the first weekend in August.

Concerns and residents’ experiences were raised at the Full Council meeting at Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council, attended by Cllr Jane Carr, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council.

As a result Councillor Saleena Raja, who represents Furzton and is chair of Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council, wrote to stadium management on behalf of residents calling for an action plan ahead of future events.

This included stronger parking enforcement and traffic management, increase stewarding around residential estates, better waste arrangements and improved communication with residents.

Cllr Carr and fellow ward Cllr Andy Carr subsequently attended The Prodigy concert to see first-hand how arrangements were working.

Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Jane Carr, said “Residents living around The Bowl were clear about the issues they had experienced, and it was

important that we listened and took their concerns on board.

“I attended the parish council meeting to hear directly from residents, and Andy and I went along to The Prodigy to see for ourselves how the arrangements were working.

“We saw increased stewarding around the estates, litter was collected and, importantly, we receive fewer complaints about disrespectful parking. It’s encouraging to see that things improved.

“The Bowl is an iconic Milton Keynes venue, and residents are not against seeing major events taking place there. But those events also need to work for the communities living around the venue. We’ll continue listening to residents and working with organisers to build on these improvements.”

Councillor Saleena Raja, Furzton ward councillor and Chair of Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council, said: “Residents were very clear with us about what needed to improve following previous events particularly around parking, stewarding, litter and access to their estates.

“As chair of the parish council, I raised these issues directly with stadium management and asked for action ahead of the next events.

“It was encouraging to see changes put in place for The Prodigy and to receive fewer complaints from residents. There is still more that can be done, but this shows what can happen when residents are listened to and everyone works together to find solutions.”