00:00This is Notting Hill just days before one of Europe's largest street festivals
00:04Notting Hill Carnival is set to take place in the area. Here where residents
00:09live dozens of houses are boarded up with large wooden boards and metal
00:13railings whereas more touristy areas like Portobello Road are still bustling.
00:17The streets are eerily empty all that can be really heard is the drilling from
00:21boarding being put up along residents houses. Lots of residents actually leave
00:26the area during the bank holiday weekend to get away from the disruption of the
00:29event where over a million people are expected to attend. I've come down to
00:34speak to residents and understand their thoughts on the street party. One group
00:39of anonymous residents said the event has outgrown the area and it's no longer for
00:43the community. They said it needs to go away. It is too big now and what they have
00:47done is put it in a small confined area. It's getting dangerous. Over the years
00:51they have experienced disturbances including people urinating in their front
00:55gardens, taking drugs and committing acts of violence on their doorsteps. Another
00:5941 year old resident Oliver Fanner said when carnival is finished it's an
01:04absolute mess. It stinks for about a week and there's rubbish everywhere but I do
01:08enjoy it. Although some residents complain of the dangers and disruptions of
01:12carnival many recognize its cultural significance in their community. One
01:16resident said if you take carnival away you take the vibe away. Najat El Maspahi 51 a
01:22retired civil servant said I'm just used to having carnival in the area. I've been here
01:27since 1979 and it's part of the heritage. But the future of the carnival remains
01:32under threat as issues with safety and funding for next year's event are being
01:36addressed by the Met and Kensington and Chelsea Council. While many residents have
01:40fled the area and the future of carnival remains uncertain millions are set to
01:44hit the streets and celebrate this bank holiday weekend.
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