Download Festival did not break noise and traffic rules, probe finds

The festival was extended to take place over four days to celebrate its 20th anniversary

Download Festival did not breach noise and traffic licence conditions this summer, a council inquiry has found.

There were major traffic delays in the area around Donington Park as about 100,000 rock music fans made their way to the site on 7 and 8 June.

Some passengers at nearby East Midlands Airport missed flights as a result of the "unprecedented" congestion.

North West Leicestershire District Council, however, did find one "minor" breach over access to toilets off site.

The council said it started an investigation after receiving more than 200 complaints about "noise and traffic chaos".

'Absolute nightmare'

The annual event was extended to take place over four days to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Download Festival's manager apologised after major delays were reported over two days as thousands headed to the rock and metal event.

East Midlands Airport staff - including managing director Steve Griffiths - drove in minibuses to collect passengers stranded in the queues.

People living in the area called the traffic an "absolute nightmare".

Some also reported hearing music nearly 15 miles (24km) away in Heage, 12 miles (19km) away in Hilton and 10 miles (16km) away in Mackworth.

People living in the area said traffic was an "absolute nightmare"

The council said it had reviewed licensing conditions and found the festival did not breach traffic management or noise control measures, the cause of the majority of the complaints.

An events licence has been in place at Donington Park since 2005, allowing the site to host events, including Download Festival.

Officers have recommended to the licence holder that some conditions are tightened, including those around community consultation and traffic management plans.

Councillor Richard Blunt, leader of the authority, said: "Given the age of the licence, we have suggested the event organiser and licence holder look to change some of the conditions to prevent the scenes and complaints we received this year."

Andy Copping, from the event organiser Live Nation, said: "Download Festival has committed to a full review and overhaul of operations with a brand-new production team to not only meet these conditions, but to exceed them and elevate the event experience for attendees, local businesses and the local community."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].