Two hours to do ten minute trip for people living near monster truck event

A TEN-minute shopping trip took one resident two hours after an event on Pitchcroft caused issues for people.

People living in streets surrounding the racecourse have now shared their frustrations after visitors to Monster Truck Mayhem demanded refunds for their disappointment.

They were met with expensive food and drink, long queues and a broken-down monster truck on Sunday, June 23.

Residents in Barbourne said excessive noise ruined their day and gridlock traffic prevented them from leaving their homes.

Worcester News has asked Monster Truck Mayhem's organisers for a new comment regarding the noise issue but they have not responded.

Heather Gaylard, who lives just seconds from the Pitchcroft on Severn Terrace, said: "We are used to living with the occasional disruption from the Racecourse, but yesterday's debacle was beyond the pale.

"We needed to do our food shop, which had to be done as it's the only day my husband has off work and I don't drive. We had expected some traffic, but the situation around 12.30pm became ridiculous.

"Having finished our shop, we left Lidl on Droitwich Road to drive home. It normally take about ten minutes. We were still stuck in traffic two hours later with rapidly spoiling food in a very hot car.

"I felt far more for the cars with young children crying and screaming.

"God only knows what would have happened if emergency vehicles had to get through."

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Maxine Maindonald, of Waterworks Road, also experienced issues.

She said: "This event was entirely inappropriate for central Worcester on so many levels I don't even know where to start.

"The noise was simply awful. Relentless, oppressive and ridiculously loud.

"It was traumatic for pets and I dread to think about the effect on wildlife.

"There's little you can do to reassure pets, they have no comprehension other than they find it terrifying."

In response to complaints made about noise, a spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "The organisers of the Worcester Balloon Festival applied to vary their premise licence earlier this year to include a monster truck event.

"No objections were received from members of the public in respect of the event.

"Environmental Health Officers visited the event over the weekend and, although noise levels were higher than they would normally be, they were not deemed unacceptable for a one-off event.

"The council will be reviewing the impacts of this event, the findings of which will be considered should similar applications be received in the future."