Canal festival too popular

IT SEEMS that Linslade Canal Festival this year was too popular, with the huge number of visitors causing health and safety concerns for the local council.

The event held at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park by the Grand Union Canal attracted around 8,000 visitors, but caused Leighton-Linslade Town Council to question its health and safety aspect, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Run in safety

The council has decided that options have to be considered if it is to be allowed to continue to be run in safety.

It wants many more stewards to handle the crowds, with the option of using non-council stewards, giving formal event training for council workers or possibly sharing stewards with another local organisation.

Congestion

Congestion on the towpath and the lakeside paths together with the spacing of stalls are also being considered. The large number of people arriving by car caused 'severe congestion' as well as car parking difficulties, that could cause problems for the emergency services.

However, next year's event is still to go ahead, even though there are worries this would clash with the Olympics.