Plans for more gigs at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham are under fire from residents who fear the proposed events could cause ‘traffic mayhem’ and ‘a wall of noise’.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has applied to run up to 15 major non-sporting events from the 82,000-capacity venue every year to generate more income.
However, locals have collected a 3,000 signature petition against the plans for the west London stadium.
The RFU is running an ongoing consultation with residents. It has said in its application that the extra events will boost local employment, and that it will contribute part of the extra revenue generated to community projects.
But the local community, some of whom live as little as 50m from the stadium, told that as the plans stand, increased traffic would be generated on event days and noise levels from events would prove disruptive.
Pensioner Ann Manser, who has lived close to the stadium for more than 20 years, said the upheaval to the community on event days would be unacceptable.
She told : ‘I think this is going to be bad for us living here in terms of the traffic and the noise.
‘There have been big gigs in the stadium before, like the Rolling Stones, and noise does really carry out of the stadium during those events. These new plans will obviously be events for megastars as the capacity is so big.
‘It’s not the same during the rugby for some reason – there is no huge noise from the fans, it seems to be contained. We are also used to the rugby crowds, who are very well behaved.
‘But this would be a different thing altogether. We don’t know what the events would be and what the crowds would be like. There would also be traffic mayhem on the roads, it’s inevitable.’
She added: ‘This is all about the stadium making more money. There are no big incentives for locals being offered.
Trevor Smith, who has lived near the stadium for decades, said locals struggled to contend with the rugby as it stands.
‘I think more events would be too much, it would be a nightmare,’ he told .
‘It’s going to be a wall of noise and more congestion on the roads, I dont think it’s fair on us locals.
‘On match days as it is, people can’t get their cars out. I think it would be unfair for us to have to put up with huge crowds for concerts and the like.
‘We don’t even know what the nature of the events would be, but I’m assuming big concerts. Maybe they should give locals free tickets to get them onside and give more incentive to back the plan.’
RFU has suggested it will offer priority ticketing for locals.
Jan, who rents a house near the stadium, added: ‘We are used to rugby crowds, but I think having more other events than the three now would be too much.
‘When there is a rugby match, people like me just generally stay in as it’s chaos when you go out. I don’t think it’s fair to effectively consign people to their homes for more days.’
A mum of three who lives in a close opposite the stadium said: ‘It will be very disruptive to have big gigs in the stadium. The area becomes so rowdy when there are events.
‘The rugby crowds are generally very good, but even with them you get some litter and minor anti-social behaviour.
‘To have fans of big bands here, the vibe may be different and there would be more problems. And once the events are approved, there is no going back.’
However, not all residents are against the proposals. Elizabeth Rhodes told she thinks the stadium is underused.
She said: ‘I’m not against having more events there, it’s a big venue and it may boost the local community.’
There has been a stadium on the Twickenham site since 1909, with the current structure the result of a rebuilding which started in the 1990s. It is now the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world.
The current Allianz Stadium, sponsored by insurance company Allianz, currently only has permission to host three non-sporting events a year.
Those events are capped at a capacity of 55,000, while the new proposal submitted to Richmond Council calls for that to be raised to 75,000 on week days.
The number would be lower on weekends under the proposals.
RFU estimates 400 new jobs will be created locally while £1,000,000 of the extra money generated can be put into projects in the community.
It has offered to ensure extra train services run to Twickenham on event days in a bid to ease traffic.
An RFU spokesperson said: ‘The proposals submitted to Richmond Council would bring more world-class artists and entertainment to Twickenham, generate up to £28,500,000 a year in additional local spending, support thousands of jobs and contribute to Richmond’s Growth Plan by strengthening the borough’s economy and cultural offer.
‘They would also generate vital additional income to reinvest in Allianz Stadium and rugby, helping to fund stadium improvements and secure the long-term future of the venue and the game.
‘Any increase in the number of events would take place through a careful, phased approach, with progression dependent on demonstrating to Richmond Council, South Western Railway, the Metropolitan Police and other local stakeholders that the impacts are being effectively managed.
‘More than 100 local residents have already written to Richmond Council in support of the proposals, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the council, residents and other stakeholders throughout the planning process.’
A spokesperson for Richmond Council said: ‘The RFU has submitted a planning application relating to non-sporting events at the stadium. This is currently out for public consultation, allowing residents and local businesses the opportunity to have their say as part of the planning process.
‘The plans will be considered through the normal planning process, including a full assessment of noise, transport and the impact on local residents and local businesses, among other considerations. No decision has been made.’
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