If local politicians look at this forum please can someone explain to me why Alexandra Palace is allowed to lock roads without any level of consultation with residents. This venue is no longer a couple of times a year disruption,we are routinely disrupted with road closures and anti social behaviour.
This weekend the roads are once again closed ( earlier than their signs) and we could not get in or out. If you live on Bedford road, Dorset cottages, Terrick road you are trapped at the whim of the palace. I just cannot understand why they are allowed to freely close roads without speaking to any of the people who live there. We are not given reductions in council tax to facilitate this? I would like a local councillor to feedback. I have written so many complaints and receive a standard protocol response every time- we care, will consider you in the future etc etc
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Hi all, it's very disappointing that ATRA has not been included yet. I started the process as soon as it was constituted last October and put in touch the Chair with Haringey Democratic Services and the Ally Pally Committee officer. They were given a form to fill with all the required information for evaluation at the Alexandra Park and Palace Annual General Meeting, which is when new joiners are considered, which I believe has taken place this or last month.
Many thanks for this, Alessandra! So everyone has been trying to get ATRA moving!
A very belated response! - are you saying, Michelle, that Dorset and Terrick roads were closed off because of an event at the Palace? I don't understand that. Bedford Road is at the bottom of Ally Pally Way, which was of course closed for the Red Bull Soap Box race, but the others aren't.
Having said that, there was very little advance warning of the closure of Ally Pally Way - except to car drivers. I kept looking at the event page for the soap box race - nothing. Apparently the info was on a different webpage, about summer events, but there should at least have been a link to the webpage for the soap box race. I don't think they have ever closed the road before for fully 4 days for that race - why this time?
Thanks to Councillor AJ for checking this out with the Palace.
I believe that the Palace had an agreement with the ?Council to close Ally Pally Way a maximum of 14 days a year, but this number may have been increased. With the Fireworks festival in the autumn, the number this year would I think be 19 days. I asked the ward councillor who attends the Palace Consultative meeting about this - Melanie Gingell - and she said she would check it out when she gets back from holiday.
All - If useful, I am adding below the last responses I received from officers after I left office.
I did ask both Ally Pally and Council officers for a briefing to the nearby wards Councillors about the preparation for the Summer Series events so that they could gather feedback about the plans being prepared. I was told that it was best to do one after the local elections, I don't know if it has happened, but these issues have been extensively raised and discussed at the Statutory Advisory Committe and a report was presented to both Ally Pally Committes (and can be found here) .
In terms of traffic closures some residents in Alexandra Park Road N22 were asking about traffic restrictions to non residents in occasion of events so I asked the officers - some roads in Horsney are not closed to residents during the events - and there was a consultation to see if residents were in favour of exclusive parking permits during events. I believe the results are still under evaluatoin but first indications were that the concerns about introduction of parking charges by the pack door outweighted the possible benefits.
Ultimately there has to be a balance between the funding needs of the Trust that drives these events and the needs of the local neighborhood. As mentioned by Councillor AJ it's important to keep reporting issues to local ward councillors so that they can make representations, to local residents associations involved in these meetings, relevant cabinet members and to the Alexandra Palace Trust and Customer Service using the dedicated complaints line, and copying the ward Councillors, so that the impact can be highlighted, evaluated and quantified.
Response from the Licencing Team:
Noise management
Noise Management will be overseen by Aria Acoustics who will monitor levels at the nearest residential locations set under the Premises Licence. Levels will be within licensing conditions, AP will use the Licensing allowance of 3 x events at 75dB and 4 at 70dB at closest noise sensitive property. Recent headliners have peaked around 63dB at closest premises, which is within the permitted levels, and even if the licenced limit is 75db Alexandra Palace are committed to keeping the levels below the permitted dB to mitigate impact.
Residents who are impacted by music noise or other issues will be able to contact the Trust in real time on 020 8365 4343 and then dialling ext. 4343. Residents can also contact the Councils Noise /ASB Team via this link : Make a noise complaint | Haringey Council
Clean-up operations
Alexandra Palace cleaning team will be in charge of cleaning outside the main entrances to the park after every event. If this is not happening in any area, then please let the Trust know using the number above and cleaners will be sent to that location. Alexandra Palace will liaise with other business such as the pubs that benefit from the events to ensure that waste from customers is also cleared from outside their premises.
Monitoring of antisocial behaviour along exit roads
Officers have advised that a review carried out through Police and SAG members following last year’s Summer Series and Darts revealed no crimes attributed to the events. Alexandra Palace have a robust security provision on the egress route and will maintain the same levels of security as per previous years. No crime or anti-social behaviour were reported from the 2025 events.
Licensing guidance
As an additional information officers have also reported that If residents wish to consider applying for a review of a Premises Licence there has to be clear evidence in support. They have also pointed out that ‘ As of early 2026, licensing guidance has shifted significantly to support a "pro-growth" strategy, focusing on reducing administrative burdens, enabling innovation, and supporting the economic revival of high streets. The new, non-statutory National Licensing Policy Framework encourages licensing authorities to act as "enablers" rather than just regulators, with a particular focus on the hospitality, leisure, and night-time economy sector.
Licensing decisions must be evidence-led, proportionate, and aim to support business investment, diversification, and resilience.’
Parking restrictions
The same parking restrictions of 2025 will be replicated in 2026. Officers estimate similar restrictions either for passing points or to safely manage egress, for reference the link to last year’s TTMO (Temporary Traffic Management Orders) can be found here.
Hi Michelle,
Sorry to hear about the inconveniences caused by the recent road closures.
I have challenged the palace on this, and they've confirmed that the road closures were a result of the Red Bull event only, this event takes place bi-annually.
Many thanks for contacting ATRA about the consultative committee, AJ.
Thanks for the feedback. Since last writing this we have had two further weekends of events at Alexandra Palace where once again the crowds gather at St Michaels Terrace.
I have had weekends of grown men urinating on my door, in our front garden ( video footage available) where hundreds of people were gathering in this street. I believe this is being considered the start of a gig night out.
There is no security present from Alexandra Palace, we have spent years complaining and the events are increasing in volume year on year. All other festival venues that I’m aware of have to consider the residents very carefully but there is no regard for residents in this particular square. We are very much affected by weekly events. I have engaged and written so many time to Alexandra Palace and it has not touched the sides. Why would a large organisation making so much money be concerned that I am annoyed about people urinating and buying drugs outside my house before many of these events. They have a bottom line to make money. Once again I would ask what provisions are being made by the powers that be to protect the residential streets.
Hi Michelle, I’m really sorry you’ve had to experience this. It is completely unacceptable and no resident should be dealing with this outside their home.
Two weeks ago, before the recent round of events, I raised residents concerns directly with the Alexandra Palace event team especially with regards to their lastsoapbox race event. I will now push for immediate measures to protect St Michael’s Terrace and the surrounding streets.
I will continue pressing for a proper response and a clear plan that takes residents’ safety and wellbeing seriously. I’ll update you as soon as I receive further information.
If you could please forward me the videos, that'll be useful when making my case to both the council and the Palace. My email is aj.egemonye@haringey.gov.uk