We are trapped in our homes by Goodwood Festival of Speed…roads are gridlocked and you can’t move – we’re taking action
FUMING residents say they are trapped in their homes by the Goodwood Festival of Speed – and are taking action against gridlocked roads.
Hundreds of petrolheads drive their classic and modern race cars to Goodwood House near Chichester, West Sussex for the motorsports show every summer.
But some residents have slammed the “terrible” traffic jams during the four-day festival – saying they are forced to flee their homes.
Mum Lou Johns said: “When it’s the Goodwood Festival, we basically can’t go east – it’s pretty much gridlocked most of the time.
“We get a tailback here anyway because the road is inadequate and already at maximum and is exacerbated by the festival.
“Locals avoid it, we can’t go into Chichester two miles away. You do feel rather used by Goodwood.
“There are more big lorries now. One does feel you are being taken for a ride.
“We used to think tractors were alarmingly big, awful and noisy, but now they seem quite small.”
Resident Kim Batty, 50, said: “There’s no benefit to living here. I try to avoid being home during the festival.
“Getting to work the other day took me 45 minutes when it usually takes me 10.”
Joanna Chivers-Gibbs said: “It’s a mess. Nobody cares about air quality.
“Along the A27 is some of the worst traffic in Britain, especially with the car show. It’s just endless.
“It just p****s me off. They can go and race around a circuit elsewhere.”
Shopkeeper Paula Beecher, 66, said: “Nobody comes here because they’re all at the festival.
“I think it seems to be getting busier year on year. It affects our trade, as it’s so quiet despite the traffic on this road getting so busy.”
Ms Beacher said she’d only been to the festival once but wouldn’t be tempted back – as she’s “not into cars“.
It comes after a man revealed how he makes £2,000 with his Wimbledon side hustle – adding that he’d rather sit at home and make cash than go to the championships.
