QUESTIONS over what went wrong and why at this year's Isle of Wight Festival must be addressed according to five councillors whose areas were most affected by disruption.
In a joint letter to director of economy and environment Stuart Love, the councillors said they remained supportive of the festival, but steps needed to be taken to prevent a repeat of this year's problems.
Signed by Newport councillors Dawn Cousins and Julie Jones-Evans, Whippingham and Osborne councillor Edward Giles, East Cowes councillor Margaret Webster and Wootton Bridge councillor Barry Abraham, the letter states: "We are writing as the Isle of Wight Councillors for some of the electoral divisions most affected by the unacceptable level of disruption on the public highway which occurred last Thursday and Friday.
"First, we welcome the sentiments and sympathy expressed in Cllr George Brown’s recent statement, in which he made clear the Council’s intentions to sit down with the organisers and partners to confirm exactly what went wrong, and why.
"The purpose of this note is to request that the outcome of the council’s deliberations in this regard is brought before a meeting of the economy & environment scrutiny panel in the coming months, with recommendations for steps to ensure what took place never happens again.
"We consider that the seriousness of the issues affecting our residents needs to be subject to formal scrutiny in the public arena, to demonstrate that the council is taking these issues seriously.
"We would also wish to be given the opportunity at this scrutiny panel meeting to speak on behalf of our residents and offer a view about the recommendations being proposed.
"This note is being copied to the chairman of that panel, Cllr Wayne Whittle, as part of this request.
"It is worth stressing that we remain supportive of the Isle of Wight Festival and the clear benefits it brings to the Island.
"Many of the residents we represent attended the event and no doubt thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Those residents who did not attend are largely tolerant of an acceptable level of disruption, as they have done so for the past decade. But last week’s disruption took it to an unacceptable level – hence why the council now needs to act.
"We hope that by taking a report to the scrutiny panel, this process can be undertaken in a constructive and transparent manner which focuses on what needs to be done.
"It would certainly be our intention to contribute to this process in a form which assists towards an outcome that is to the benefit of residents, festival attendees and the local economy.
"We would welcome the opportunity to input into this process at any early stage, so if it is helpful we can provide feedback from residents about their difficulties, to contribute to your review in advance of such a scrutiny panel meeting."