Holkham Estate responds to criticism over disabled access at Tom Jones concert
Holkham Hall. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: IAN BURT
The Holkham Estate has responded to criticism about the lack of disabled access at Sunday's Tom Jones concert by saying that a designated viewing platform was available, as well as toilet facilities.
Tom Jones performing on stage at Holkham Hall. Picture: D Kirkham/Valley Music - Credit: Valley Music
The estate did not comment on complaints regarding the access arrangements for people getting from the car park to the concert space, which some concert-goers said left wheelchair users having to be piggy backed to their cars.
A statement from Holkham Estate said: 'In terms of the disability access, a representative from Holkham has advised that there was a viewing platform for 20 disabled spectators on the left-hand side of the stage, which was located on the road side of the arena.
'This area had its own disabled toilet block at the side and then another five disabled toilet blocks at each toilet block around the arena.'
It was released at the same time as an apology for the problems with traffic management that left concert-goers stuck on gridlocked roads for up to four hours.
The queues to get into the Tom Jones show at Holkham Hall. Picture: Clare Sparling - Credit: Clare Sparling
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In the second statement the estate said they are doing everything they can to ensure it will never happen again. It reads: 'Holkham Estate would like to sincerely apologise for any delays that guests experienced in travelling to the Tom Jones concert on Sunday, July 23.
'We hosted two large-scale events at Holkham on the day and with that in mind additional resources were deployed as well as a full traffic management plan. Despite these measures being taken, we recognise that there was a very high volume of traffic in the area and in Holkham Park causing problems and delays for drivers. This was further compounded by a road traffic accident on the main access route to Holkham.'
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But on social media there are questions over whether the apology was enough, as people who were also caught up in the traffic when exiting the Holkham Country Fair are questioning why it was not also addressed to them.
Many of the people affected by the problems at the concert and country fair are now asking why the decision was made to hold such a high profile concert at the same time as the fair, which was expected to attract up to 40,000 people.
The queues on the way to the Tom Jones concert at Holkham Hall. Picture: Colin Murphy - Credit: Archant
The estate asked people to email them if they would like to discuss problems further.
MORE: 'Wheel chair users were piggy backed to their cars' - More criticism over Tom Jones concertMORE: Sir Tom Jones fans angry and frustrated after up to four hours queueing
