Concerns following last year’s Parklife festival in Heaton Park will see a new taskforce being set up to directly manage the issues surrounding the staging of large festivals at the park.

The event, which will be held on the weekend of the 6th and 7th June was blighted last year by the death of Robert Hart, and legitimate concerns expressed from within the local community, despite it being a predominantly a successful event enjoyed by more than 135,000 fans.

Now the council will be putting a great deal into trying to ensure that problems caused by previous festivals are not repeated.

The dedicated Community Impact Taskforce, inspired by operations run at Glastonbury and other leading festivals, has now been set up to prepare for this year’s Parklife event and to support the effective management of people to and from the area over the weekend.

The taskforce, made up of representatives from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and the Parklife organisers, supported by the neighbouring local authorities, will be responsible for implementing additional security measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in areas surrounding the park

The group will also look into enhancing existing arrangements to improve cleaning, parking and noise management, and make sure there are effective travel arrangements in place to minimise disruption to residents, including putting an effective taxi operation in place to support the Metrolink and the Parklife Express shuttle bus services.

A separate taskforce control centre will be created to coordinate operations and communicate with local residents and businesses during the festival.

The taskforce will also review how local businesses can benefit from the festival as well as how the local community can benefit from educational, employment and volunteering opportunities, such as arranging visits to the festival site by schools and colleges before the event.

Other measures are also being developed including investing in ground drainage to make sure the park recovers quickly following large events.

Jon Drape, Parklife event director, said: “Parklife Festival values the views of the local community and takes on board the feedback from last year. Through setting up the Community Impact Taskforce and working closely with the Local Authorities and Greater Manchester Police, Parklife Festival aims to strengthen its relationship with the surrounding area and minimise any potential negative impact from the festival, as well as generating greater benefits to local businesses, colleges and charities.”

Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: ” This is a new opportunity for Greater Manchester Police and partners to deal with any anti-social behaviour before, during and after the event.

“This is in response to concerns expressed to us by local residents following previous festivals and concerts held in Heaton Park. It is a chance for us to work closely with the community and offer them a direct line of communication with both the police and and the relevant council.

“This new model allows us to respond more effectively to issues and concerns arising as a result of the event, and will hopefully improve the experience for both the local residents and festival goers.”

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