The Parish Council extends its heartfelt congratulations to Silverstone Circuits and its management team for an outstanding 2024 British Grand Prix. The weekend was exhilarating, featuring thrilling races and the proud sight of British flags on the podium. The village was alive with excitement, as campers, visitors, and locals enjoyed both the events at the Circuit and the vibrant atmosphere in the village.

Since its debut in 1950, the Silverstone F1 GP has been a cornerstone of the motorsport calendar, offering not only top-tier entertainment but also significant employment opportunities across South Northamptonshire. We eagerly anticipate many more years of exciting races and appreciate the ongoing support from both the Inter-Agency Group (IAG) and Silverstone Circuit.

With around 480,000 visitors over the weekend, many of the strategies implemented by the IAG to ensure visitor safety and mitigate the impact on residents proved successful. Here's a summary of our observations and feedback:

Parking Enforcement

There were some issues with parking enforcement, including fines in un-restricted areas and timings that seemed overly strict. We acknowledge the need for a more balanced approach to better accommodate residents while managing visitor parking effectively.

Noise Levels

Complaints about noise were mostly related to camping entertainment and The White Horse. However, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) did not receive formal complaints, and The Circuit reported no issues with their concerts.

Stationary Vehicles

Parking restrictions helped keep our roads clear, but there were problems with stationary vehicles, particularly taxis. Enforcement officers were unable to address this issue fully due to limited powers. WNC is investigating options for additional enforcement measures for next year.

Abthorpe Road Closure

The closure of Abthorpe Road this year was implemented to enhance traffic flow around the Circuit and to manage the influx of visitors more effectively. Whilst this closure caused some inconvenience for local residents, particularly those needing to travel to and from the village, it resulted in smoother traffic conditions within the village itself. This was especially noticeable in reducing taxi congestion. We understand that road closures can be disruptive, and we will continue to work with the IAG to minimise the impact on residents while maintaining effective traffic management.

Additional Enforcement Roads

There was some confusion and frustration regarding the temporary traffic enforcement measures applied to certain roads. Miscommunication about which roads were subject to these measures and why they led to some residents feeling uncertain about the necessity and scope of these restrictions requires adjustment to communication. Feedback suggests that

clearer communication and a more transparent decision-making process are needed. We are reviewing this issue to ensure that future enforcement measures are better communicated and more effectively managed.

Restricted Entry/Exit for Residents

During the weekend, access to and from the village was limited to Whittlebury at certain times. While this caused some inconvenience, we are working to improve traffic management on these routes to reduce congestion and frustration for residents. We shall collaborate with Whittlebury Parish Council on this matter.

Taxi Management

Taxi management was significantly better this year in Silverstone Village. However, Whittlebury Village faced challenges. We are working closely with the IAG to ensure that improvements are sustained and extended to both villages. We shall collaborate with Whittlebury Parish Council on this matter as well.

Taxi Touts

Unlawful taxi touting remains a concern. We are committed to addressing this issue to ensure the safety and well-being of all taxi users in our village.

Communication Enhancements

We recognise the importance of clear and timely communication. Here's how we're improving:

· De-Briefing: The IAG will focus on a debriefing session with Liaison Councillors rather than a broad residents' session this year.

· Drop-In Sessions: The May drop-in session was valuable, and we've requested its continuation. We will do our best to make the timing of this meeting to be more impactful for residents' input and follow-up implementation. Further details will be shared soon.

· Resident Engagement: We are exploring new ways to engage with residents proactively, potentially through community events or open sessions at the Circuit.

· Residents Booklet: Improvements have been made to the F1 booklet detailing traffic controls, and in the longer term will be moving towards a more electronic format. Please sign up for updates on the Silverstone Circuit Residents Website (Insert URL for this website).

· Parish Council Communication: We'll continue to provide updates through our website and Facebook page and will collaborate with relevant bodies to ensure clear communication.

For more details and the latest updates, please check Silverstone Circuit's Residents Website. If you have any concerns or need support, you can contact the Silverstone Circuit Residents team at residents@silverstone.co.uk - we have had very good feedback about their response times and their level of support. For further assistance, feel free to reach out to our Community Liaison Group Councillors; their contact details are available on our website

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We look forward to working together to enhance our community experience during future events.