Festival's neighbours 'feel like prisoners in our own homes'
Festival's neighbours 'feel like prisoners in our own homes'
Stewart Whittingham - North WestMon, August 24, 2026 at 5:22 AM UTC
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Pensioner Ian Brittain says he feels like a prisoner in his home during the festival
Armed with bucket hats, pop-up tents and glitter, thousands of music fans will party to the sounds of Swedish House Mafia and Underworld at Creamfields over the August bank holiday weekend.
Up to 80,000 people will descend on the small Cheshire village of Daresbury for the four-day dance festival from Thursday to Sunday.
But some local residents have bemoaned the "nightmare" 10-mile traffic queues and drunken fans trying to break into their gardens. Some said they had been given 24-hour guards and cash compensation. One resident, Ian Brittain, said: "It causes chaos - we feel like prisoners in our own homes. We are scared to leave."
Creamfields' organisers have been contacted for comment.
Brittain, a 79-year-old retired accountant, added: "The traffic is a nightmare. It took me two hours to get back from the pub one Sunday night.
"And then you get people trying to break into your garden or use the fields nearby as a toilet.
"It can get very noisy depending on which way the wind is blowing.
"The whole things is horrific for local residents."
Swedish House Mafia are one of the headline acts at this year's festival
The festival is one of Europe's largest dance music events
He added: "It's worse for the people in the large houses near the festival entrances.
"Mind you, they do get cash in compensation for all the aggro.
"Many of them go away for the weekend as well."
Retired nuclear industry assessor John Hobson lives near the main entrance and festival organisers have given him 24-hour security.
The 73-year-old said: "We've had trouble with people trying to get in.
"Creamfields give us guards for the duration of the whole festival - they just sit outside the house to deter people."
John Hobson says guards sit outside his house to deter fans getting in to his home
He added: "I have been once and, although it was spectacular, I found it too loud and noisy.
"It's not really my thing.
"However, the free tickets are a nice touch and my son goes just about every year and camps in the garden with friends.
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"But, overall, the festival is a massive headache for us. It causes people a lot of trouble."
Houses near the Green Gate have been given 24-hour security to prevent trouble
The festival promises a feast for the eyes as well as the ears
Another homeowner, who also lives opposite near the blue and green entrances, also told the BBC: "The festival organisers pay us compensation for the hassle.
"But we're not supposed to talk about the money. A lot of people go away to get away from it all."
However, all residents spoken to by the BBC admitted the free tickets for locals was a big hit.
Residents in Daresbury village have been warned about road closures for the festival
Many of the younger residents in the villages near the site, said they looked forward to the event with its "festival atmosphere".
Student Grace Bailey, 21, said: "The traffic is shocking, but the music is great and we do get free tickets.
"I applied this year but I left it too late, which is annoying.
"However, the atmosphere in the village is great and you almost get a free gig as you can hear the artists.
"But the traffic is terrible - there's at least 10 miles of queues. That does annoy everyone."
Becky Hill is due to play on Sunday at the Cheshire festival
This year's festival features Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris and Becky Hill.
Father-of-two John Robinson, 41, who lives nearby, said: "The music isn't to my taste but we have got used to the festival.
"If you plan, the disruption isn't too bad but a lot of people really don't like it.
"There's some anti-social behaviour and the traffic can be bad."
John Robinson says he gave two tired teenagers, aged 18 and 19, a lift to the station
He added: "We actually came to the rescue of two young teenagers who were trying to get to the festival and didn't realise how far away it was with all the road closures.
"They were very tired so we gave them a lift".
The festival is set for its 20th year at the Daresbury Estate in Cheshire.
More than 250 artists - including Tiësto and Sonny Fodera - will perform.
Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
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