Residents’ feedback leads to improvements at The Bowl

Following the Reggae Land event that took place during the first weekend in August, residents living near The Bowl raised issues including parking, litter, anti-social behaviour and a lack of waste facilities. 

Last month, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Jane Carr attended the Full Council meeting at Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council to listen directly to residents about their experiences.

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, increased stewarding around residential estates, better waste arrangements and improved communication with residents.

Cllr Carr and fellow ward Councillor 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 received 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.”