Windsor Racecourse apologises over noise and parking complaints at all-day music event

Windsor Racecourse and event organisers have apologised after a large event brought a raft of complaints over noise, parking on the pavement and antisocial behaviour.

On Sunday, June 22, there was a music event – The All White Coco Day Party – with three arenas playing hip-hop and dance music.

It had previously been held at other venues but this was its first time at Windsor Racecourse.

The event boasted free on-site parking for 2,000 cars – and yet, residents snapped several photos of revellers spread out over the pavements of surrounding roads, including Maidenhead Road, Rays Avenue, Vale Road and Buckland Crescent.

Dozens of people took to social media across multiple posts to complain about the lack of warning, saying they could not see the event advertised anywhere.

They questioned both the lack police presence and any parking enforcement from RBWM, as well as wondering about licence conditions, also placed and enforced by RBWM.

Police will intervene where parking is causing a ‘dangerous’ obstruction – and previous letters to residents warned them of £30 fines for any parking on the shared pedestrian and cycle pathway in Maidenhead Road.

Pedestrians attempting to navigate this road expressed their dismay at cars clogging up the path on the event day ‘with little room to pass’ – forcing them to walk on the road.

Residents also complained loud music playing late into the night and an uptick in littering.

Complaints over the noise and the ‘booming bass’ came from across Dedworth, Datchet and Eton Wick, with closer neighbours saying it caused their houses to vibrate.

Several Windsor ward councillors contacted the licensing and highways team of RBWM. A spokesperson told the Express that RBWM is ‘investigating in line with procedures’ but the event was under an existing licence.

Jimmy Wallace, executive director for Windsor Racecourse, said the Racecourse team worked with All White Coco for several months alongside RBWM and Thames Valley Police, and 'all the correct checks and balances' were done.

During the event, noise readings were taken at six locations on the racecourse every hour.

There was an occasion where noise did spike ‘marginally’ over the limit, and it was rectified within six minutes, he said.

Mr Wallace thinks the problem might be to do with heavy bass of the music – ‘something to review' going forward.

The racecourse also 'insisted' that All White Coco use the racecourse’s preferred traffic management supplier – but even so, not everyone came to the site to park.

“We're apologetic about that,” Mr Wallace said. “It's something which definitely needs reviewing for future events.”

He added that there was a police presence there on the night – an officer who said he was 'very happy with everything' at the end of the night.

Moreover, the event was advertised on the Royal Windsor Racecourse website in advance.

However, it was removed 'by mistake' the day before the event – something else staff will be on the lookout for in the future.

“There are definite improvements we can make, and there will certainly be a greater effort to have a closer collaboration with the local residents,” said Mr Wallace.

A spokesperson for the All White Coco organising committee said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and disruption caused to the local residents on the day.

“We will be reviewing all procedures in collaboration with them ahead of any future events at Royal Windsor Racecourse.”