Racecourse restricted after Timberlake gig chaos

A racecourse has been told it cannot host music events with more than 10,000 people after police complained that spectators could have died at a Justin Timberlake concert.

People abandoned cars and walked on the verge of a dual carriageway because of traffic chaos after the gig at Chelmsford City Racecourse in July.

At a licensing meeting, Chelmsford City Council concluded there was a "catastrophic failure in operational management" and the public was at risk of death.

Chelmsford City Racecourse apologised for the "unacceptable traffic management issues on the first night" but said "43,000 people attended the three-day festival, with the majority having an enjoyable and safe experience".

The council's licensing committee met on 19 September to discuss the racecourse's premises licence, and the findings were published on Friday.

The venue was previously allowed to hold up to 29,999 people outside of racing events before the 10,000 cap was imposed.

It was also told that it must submit an event management plan to the council if it wanted to host more than 5,000 people in the future.

Chelmsford City Racecourse is located beside the A131, close to Great Leighs and Great Notley

About 25,000 people attended the venue on Friday, 4 July, for what was the first day of the three-day Chelmsford City Live festival.

People reported waiting in their cars for up to four hours as they tried to exit the venue on to the A131.

Council officer Freddey Banks-Ayres summed up the findings of the committee and wrote in the report: "There was catastrophic failure in operational management on the part of the licence-holder, which resulted in chaos.

"The public, by venturing on to the A131 in their hundreds as pedestrians, were potentially at risk of sustaining serious injury or even death, and furthermore there was widespread traffic disruption which amounted to a public nuisance which detrimentally impacted on, among others, residents in the locality and motorists."

The council said operational failings were "several-fold" and that there were also concerns about management on the 5 July and 6 July, when a smaller number watched Olly Murs and Duran Duran perform.

Racecourse barrister Philip Kolvin KC had said his client was let down by contractors.

But the report said the venue had ultimate responsibility for management.

Mr Kolvin promised the traffic chaos would never be repeated.

Timberlake returned to Essex for the first time since headlining V Festival at Hylands Park near Chelmsford in 2014

The council said the racecourse could apply to increase the capacity limit if music events went smoothly over the next two years.

Limitations on noise levels at the venue were not necessary, the council concluded.

The council decision does not affect the professional horse racing meets at the venue, which take place all year round.

Essex Police welcomed the new licence conditions and a spokesperson said the force would continue working closely with the racecourse and "our partners to keep the public safe".

Chelmsford City Racecourse said: "We offer an unreserved apology to guests and residents impacted by the unacceptable traffic management issues on the first night of Chelmsford City Live.

"Despite these issues, 43,000 people attended the three-day festival, with the majority having an enjoyable and safe experience.

"The consensus of the licence review representations was that the central issue was a failure in the implementation of the approved traffic management plan, and not a failure in preparation or planning.

"We accept our ultimate responsibility for ensuring health and safety requirements are met and the traffic management plan is fully implemented by the third-party we employ to deliver it."

It added: "No one disputes the problems that arose, nor our responsibility to prevent them from happening again. However, resolving the challenges in the area outside our venue, where we lack statutory power, will require the support and cooperation of local authorities."

Nathan Holmes, chief executive officer at Chelmsford City Racecourse, said visitor safety was the venue's "highest priority" and he apologised for the disruption that was caused.

"While we are disappointed that new conditions will be applied to standalone music events, it has been overwhelming to see so much support for our venue throughout this process," he said.

"We want to offer the best experiences possible for our customers, and this extends to how guests arrive and leave our venue. We are committed to making this work with our partners and to bringing the very best entertainment to the region."