THE Neighbourhood Weekender festival was worth £2.5 million for Warrington’s economy.

But a review into the two-day event at Victoria Park recommends improvements which could be made if the event takes place again in 2019.

The council report into the music festival in May which was headlined by The Courteeners and Noel Gallagher, said it was a ‘significant’ success.

But it concluded that better stewarding, improved transport and greater parking restrictions would help residents should plans be approved for next year.

The festival was the first since Radiohead played there in 2000 and brought more than 22,000 people each day to the park on Knutsford Road.

An estimated £2.5 million windfall benefitted restaurants, taxis, hotels and other businesses in town.

The report stated: “The overall event was viewed as a significant success with positive feedback from those attending the event and all parties involved from the event organisers, local authority officers and emergency services.”

It concluded that the biggest complaints related to parking for residents nearby, traffic problems as the site emptied both night and festivalgoers urinating in public places and roads as they left.

But organisers were praised for their swift work in cleaning the park afterwards.

The report concludes that parking restrictions were not properly managed and that shuttle buses leaving the venue did not work because of the long queues that developed on Knutsford Road.

And it said drivers on the Sunday ignored road closures, with some seen jumping the red lights as traffic was held for 20 minutes.

The council concludes that more taxi drop-off areas should be introduced and more stewards should be hired to make sure parking is protected for residents.

It also states that more signs should direct motorists to the official car parks as the one at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School was only half full.