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Fans 'stranded' after Justin Timberlake concert

Aimee Dexter
BBC News, Essex
Richard Smith/BBC Several long lines of cars queueing up on a field. It is dark. The cars' tail-lights are shining red.Richard Smith/BBC
Cars in a queue for the parking exits after Friday's Justin Timberlake concert

Music fans have reported facing long delays as they tried to leave a Justin Timberlake concert.

The 10-time Grammy Award winner performed at Chelmsford City Racecourse, in Essex, on Friday evening as part of Chelmsford City Live.

But afterwards frustrated concert-goers said it had taken several hours to leave car parks as streams of vehicles queued for exits. One post claimed people were "stranded in a field".

Essex Police said it was "liaising" with the organisers to resolve the issues before Saturday's concert headlined by Duran Duran. The event's promoters and the racecourse have been approached for comment.

CUFFE & TAYLOR Justin Timberlake is standing in the middle of the picture on a stage. He is looking to the left of the camera and is wearing a matching cream striped suit, with a blue and green T-shirt. He is holding a microphone and there are backing singers behind him. CUFFE & TAYLOR
Timberlake last took to the stage in Essex during the V Festival, at Hylands Park, in 2014

Timberlake was the headliner on the first night of the three-day festival, attracting a crowd of about 25,000.

Traffic issues had begun before the concert, when a car fire on the A131 caused jams.

Owen Ward/BBC A white car is sitting on a slip road off of a main road. The car had been on fire which has resulted in fire damage, taking off the front off the car and the windows. Owen Ward/BBC
An earlier car fire on the A131 at Great Notley had already caused delays

After the event, as fans tried to head home, car parks became gridlocked as vehicles which had earlier been marshalled into rows tried to move off.

Another post said: "Justin Timberlake was brilliant but the whole evening has been overshadowed by the poorly managed traffic."

Jodie Halford/BBC Liam Smith is looking towards the camera with a light smile. He has a short ginger beard, and is wearing a black T-shirt. Jodie Halford/BBC
Liam Smith attended the event and said he was excited to see Timberlake perform in his home town

Liam Smith, 34, who lives in Doncaster but is originally from Chelmsford, said he was "very excited" to see Timberlake in his home town.

But, referring to the parking issues, he added: "It just seemed like it was really not going to plan."

Liam Smith People are walking on a pavement, which is on the left. On the right, there is a busy road with traffic. It is dark. The cars have their lights on.Liam Smith
Some fans started walking home after Justin Timberlake's performance

Lauren Keeble, 39, from Maldon, said she felt "quite lucky" after finding out people had queued for several hours.

"There was a lack of signage when driving in and a lack of information leading up to the event."

Ms Keeble said she was going back to the racecourse on Sunday to see Olly Murs, but feared "the same could happen again".

'Avoid taking action'

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are aware of issues people faced leaving Chelmsford City Racecourse last night following the Justin Timberlake concert.

"The event organiser is responsible for the management of people entering and exiting the venue.

"We are liaising with them to resolve these issues for tonight's event.

"Our officers worked to try and keep people safe, including putting in place a rolling roadblock along the A131 to manage speeds along the road."

They added: "We appreciate the frustration people felt last night but would ask that you avoid taking action that might put your safety at risk."

Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Chic and JC Stewart take to the stage on Saturday.

Murs, who was born in Witham, said performing on Sunday would be the biggest gig he had ever done in Essex.

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