Cornish locals slam festival-goers as they descend on the coast – clogging up roads and causing “chaos”.
Tourists are flooding the coast to attend Boardmasters, which starts today (7 August).
One local, Sam Coffey, from Fraddon, St Enoder, is dismayed at the “chaos” to come.
The 25-year-old dad-of-two usually needs just 20 minutes to get to his office in Newquay – but today was stuck on a bus as “idiot” tourists tried to navigate the roads.
“It’s the same every year,” Sam, a researcher, told What’s The Jam.
“The idiot tourists descend on Cornwall and the locals just have to deal with the chaos they cause.
“Normally, getting to work is a 20-minute drive but today I was stuck on the bus for an hour and a half.
“Thankfully, my manager is understanding but it’s really frustrating.
“Locals know to avoid Newquay during Boardmasters because it’s just a complete mess, and we suffer as a result.
“It’s not just the festival-goers who cause us hassle – tourists travel into town to party and leave our lovely town looking dire afterwards.”
Reports claim around 50,000 people will be travelling to the festival, which ends on Sunday 11 August.
Popular artists such as Chase & Status, Sam Fender, Becky Hill, Kate Nash and Stormzy are set to take the stage.
Sam isn’t the only local concerned about the influx of festival-goers.
Another local man, named Ron, (@ron_ejuleff ), said: “Chaos in Newquay already for Boardmasters, 20 mins to go a mile at 7am.
“Avoid avoid avoid! Roll on September!”
His tweet includes images of the long lines of standstill traffic.
In another tweet, (@driftwoodvegans ), attached an image of a music tent in Boardmasters, and said: “Day 1, and the roads around Newquay are already gridlocked.
“Good luck trying to travel anywhere.”
Local mum, Emma, (@earthwindkernow ), added: “We haven’t got the roads for this.
“Husband currently stuck near St Columb Major trying to get to work.
“Chaos.”
Festival-goers have also shared their dismay at the state of traffic.
One person, identified only as @complexwales , posted about how their journey was going, saying: “It’s 08:30am travelling to Boardmasters and have spent the last half an hour in a jam on the A392 heading into Newquay.”
As for Sam, he will now be working from home until the festival chaos is over.
He added: “I can’t wait for them to leave.
“The holidays always so busy but this is a whole different level.
“I’m just looking forward to things settling down and September.”
Jam Press has contacted the local council for comment
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