THE PROMOTERS of the forthcoming Summer Madness concert have moved to ensure its success by allaying traffic concerns and security fears around Carisbrooke Castle.
Concert organisers say since tickets went on sale last Friday, the rush to buy them has been overwhelming, particularly from Islanders.
Madness will top the bill, with the open-air concert at Froglands Farm, Carisbrooke, on August 30, expected to attract 10,000 revellers. Other bands have yet to be announced.
English Heritage, which owns nearby Carisbrooke Castle, had last week expressed concerns about access, security and risk to the ancient landmark and the potential high level of traffic and congestion, but is working closely with promoters to resolve the issues.
A spokesman for live music promoters Home Grown said the concert site and castle security was paramount and they had employed AP Security, the firm which managed last month’s Isle of Wight Festival site, and were working closely with English Heritage, a specialist traffic consultant and highways officers to ensure traffic ran smoothly on the day.
English Heritage’s acting head of visitor operations for the Island, Steve Alexander, said: "English Heritage has met with the promoters again and we’re keen to ensure Summer Madness, and an event at the castle over the August bank holiday weekend, can both be a success.
"We’ve discussed a traffic management plan, which will include the provision of signage and marshals along the route, to minimise traffic congestion. Once these measures have been agreed, we would be happy to support the staging of the concert."
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk