Stadium bosses have vowed to take steps to stop a repeat of the chaos which saw hundreds of fans stuck in the car park until the early hours following last night's huge Pink concert in Bolton. The star kicked off the European leg of her Summer Carnival 2023 tour in front of 35,000 people at the University of Bolton Stadium.
But gig-goers complained of 'total and utter chaos' afterwards, with some drivers still stuck in the car park more than two hours after the show. In a statement this morning, a Bolton Wanderers spokesperson said they were 'reviewing the traffic management plan' ahead of a second date by Pink tonight.
A spokesperson for the University of Bolton Stadium said: "Following an incredible opening night of Pink's sensational Summer Carnival Tour 2023, at which we welcomed over 35,000 people to the University of Bolton Stadium, we are aware that some concert-goers experienced traffic and congestion issues when departing the site.
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"Working closely with the relevant authorities, we are reviewing the traffic management plan in place ahead of this evening's show, with a view to mitigating these issues and improving the experience for all those visiting the stadium for tonight's second concert."
Following the show, which Manchester Evening News reviewer Jenna Campbell described as a five star 'high-energy, acrobatic special', Pink tweeted: 'Tonight was a dream!!!!!!!!'.
Transport for Greater Manchester had earlier advised gig-goers to use shuttle buses which had been laid on to Bolton, Wigan and Chorley. But with limited train services running from the nearby Horwich Park station, many fans had driven to the concert.
One fan tweeted a video of the dozens of cars still queuing the leave the car park at 1.26am. They wrote: "Anyone travelling to Pink tomorrow! Don't drive to the venue!
"1.26am and we're still in the car park! Pink was amazing but this is a joke now!"
Fans struggling to get home also voiced their frustration on the Manchester Evening News Facebook page. Diane Wood wrote: "Pink was absolutely amazing but police have had to be called to try and clear the car park.
"We along with hundreds of other people are still stuck on the car park 2hrs after the end of the concert I would never attend another one here total and utter chaos."
Andrea Kirkham wrote: "Two and a half hours to get out of a car park when we were right next to an exit barrier but they wouldn’t let us out! Never been to such a place and will never go there again! Shocking!"
Amy Derbyshire posted: "Pink was incredible but I got in my car at 11.15pm and just got home at 2.10am and I live a 20 minute drive away. Roads closed everywhere, temporary traffic lights on the roads that were open and we ended up near the police station to be told by them that they can’t do anything to help because they aren’t involved in the parking!"
Sarah Jayne Clarke wrote: "Amazing concert, she's incredible. The traffic leaving the concert is the worst I've ever saw at a gig. 2hrs to move 100 yards."
Joanne Baldwin said: "Ace concert … she is unbelievable However dreadful car park organisation … 2 hrs 14 mins …. Just moving."
And another woman told the M.E.N.: "For anyone going to pink tomorrow; Be prepared for two hour waits on stand still traffic to leave the venue.
"We paid £25 to park in the accessibility parking with the premis we would be able to leave in a timely manner? We understand there would be some delay but it’s gone 12:30 pm and we haven’t moved. An absolute shambles and zero organisation."
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