RESIDENTS demanded to know why they were not consulted over the decision to hold the Olympic mountain biking event in Hadleigh.

Concerns were also raised at a neighbourhood meeting about how Hadleigh would cope with tens of thousands of spectators expected to descend on the area during the two-day event, scheduled for August 2012.

Resident Ron Hurrell, of Hadleigh Park Avenue, Hadleigh, said: “I want to know who decided Hadleigh was an Olympic site?”

His comments were met with applause from most of the residents at Hadleigh and Daws Heath Neighbourhood meeting, at St Barnabus Church Hall, in Church Road.

The meeting is organised quarterly by Castle Point Council, and is a chance for residents to ask questions of councillors and officers.

Peggy-Jane Smith, of Mount Zion, Hadleigh, added: “To expect to bring in 30,000 people just doesn’t make sense.

“Why weren’t we consulted?”

But Enid Isaacs, Tory Castle Point councillor for Victoria Ward, dismissed their concerns.

She said: “It really is a little bit irrelevant who decided, because we haven’t got a hope in hell of trying to stop it. It’s a global event.”

Other councillors moved to reassure residents disruption would be kept to a minimum.

Jill Reeve, Conservative county councillor for Hadleigh, reported back to residents plans for parking in Chapel Lane, which will provide one of the main access points to the site.

She said: “It would be safe to say however, if any cars are permitted to park on Chapel Lane its likely this will only be cars belonging to residents. If residents cars need to be moved we will look at this.

“If any special circumstances come to attention we will deal with them as they arise.”

Godfrey Isaacs, Conservative councillor for St James ward, added: “There will be an area around the site no cars will be allowed to enter – it will only be residents who can move in and out of the zone.

“Part of the ticket is free transportation to the event. If somebody buys a ticket, they will come in by public transport.”