Walton Parish Council

Walton Parish Council

Creamfields Residents’ Review Meeting

The meeting took place at St John’s Church Hall on Saturday, 9th May 2026, 10.30 to 12.00. In attendance from Walton Parish Council were Councillors Christina Hewitt, Helen Allison, Elizabeth Jones, and David Hazeldine. Warrington Councillor Matt Scott was also present. Several residents attended, and the meeting was convivial and constructive, offering feedback that residents hope will be factored into the operational planning arrangements for Creamfields 2026.

The following comments are in no particular order and reflect the views of residents all of whom live in the immediate vicinity of the festival site.

• Residents spoke positively of the festival and felt that Creamfields had taken on board comments made in previous years and that, on the whole, the event was well managed. A number of additional observations were made at the meeting which would further improve the experiences of those who live with the festival. 

• At the Park Lane / Warrington Road junction, the presence of vehicle marshals is welcomed, however, greater vigilance and proactivity is needed by marshals when checking vehicles. There had been several instances of marshals allowing non-residents through and particularly taxis. Marshalls need to proactively check residents vehicles passes. It was further suggested that the vehicle passes should be larger with the vehicle registration more clearly stated. 

• On several occasions, residents returned to the issue of closed road marshalling noting that some were weak on enforcement or were absent altogether for prolonged periods. Residents within Higher Walton village commented that camper-vans had parked up near the church and this was a clear evidence of ineffective marshalling. Residents request that all marshals are adequately briefed and are instructed to challenge drivers as they approach the closure point.}

• Residents noted that there were inconsistencies in how residents badges were distributed to households and a number failed to receive them. It was also noted some businesses in the area had been given residents passes to give to employees, tradesmen. Residents request that cream organisers ensure that all households in the qualifying area are sent vehicle passes in good time and suggest and alternative pass system from employees of local companies.

• In 2025 there were cases where lanes were closed with cones and signage but without any marshals in place. As a consequence, vehicles and notably taxis took advantage of the lack of policing and ignored the ‘road closed’ signs. This was notably the case on Mill Lane and Holly Hedge Lane. In the case of the latter, the taxis drove up the lane from Runcorn Road, by passing the barriers. Without a marshall, the lane became a ‘rat-run’ throughout the festival. Residents felt strongly that all closed roads must have a visible marshal presence throughout the festival. Signage on its own is inadequate.

• At the canal bridge on Warrington Road, opposite the Walton Arms, there were initially no barriers or marshals in place. Residents had to contact Cream organisers to remind them to have them in place. In 2026 it is expected that Cream will remember to have barriers and marshals in place at this location.

• Residents of the detached houses on the A56 raised a concern regarding the security arrangements. While these are effective during the festival and immediately prior to it starting, in 2025 there was an issue with the security guards leaving the location immediately at the close of the event. Residents request the security guards remain in place at the properties on the A56  until the festival site has fully cleared of attendees. 

• Several instances of anti-social behaviour and trespassing were experienced by residents in the proximity of the corner of Park Lane / Warrington Road. This behaviour included festival goers knocking on windows and urinating in property boundary hedges. Cream organisers are asked to ensure that there is a security guard presence on the corner of Park Lane / Warrington Road like there is with each of the large houses on the main Chester Road.  

• Residents noted that where litter picking after the event was mostly effective along the length of the main Chester Road, this was not the case in a number for the side lanes. Litter issues were noted along Old Chester Road within the village, on the corner of Park Lane and Warrington Road and along Mill Lane near the Runcorn Road end. Cream organisers are requested to ensure that effective litter collection takes place along roads away from the main routeways and access point and that quality control procedures put in place to make supervisory checks on litter collections.

• Residents commented that nitrous oxide canisters were found in several areas: along Warrington Road, Park Lane, Old Chester Road and alongside the church in Higher Walton. It appeared that litter collectors were leaving these items, possible because they are harder / heavier to collect with pickers. Residents request that Cream organisers raise the concern about the need to collect discarded Nitrous Oxide canisters.    

• Residents noted a number of points regarding taxi routes and pick up points. While taxi access is generally well managed, it would be further helped if Cream organisers make sure that Ubers where geo-fenced from particular location via the Uber mapping management facility. Similarly,  Cream organisers need to make sure that road closures are flagged on Apple Maps and Google Maps to prevent unauthorised access.

• Residents pointed out that taxi pickup points were overwhelmed in terms of mobile data access which meant that festival goers were unable to contact and / or track taxi pickups. Residents requested that Cream organisers endeavour to extend site wifi coverage to the main pick up areas so that mobile data access is available at peak times.

• Residents raised concerns about a lack of police presence in the area in 2025. In previous years, police were more present at peak times and along the main routes. In 2025 it appeared that policing in certain areas  had been replaced with less effective / ineffective marshalling. Residents ask that Cream organisers ensure that policing levels are sufficient to ensure that all areas are covered with with a monitoring  police presence and that the busiest locations are supervised.

Feedback from Residents has been issued to Creamfields Organisers.

Notes produced by Walton Parish Council

May 2026