T in the Park bosses have apologised and blamed an unofficial campsite after revellers reported lengthy traffic delays when leaving the new Strathallan site on Friday night.
Drivers using pick-up points took to social media to complain about huge tailbacks and journeys to and from the site which lasted several hours.
Several complained that the problems left vulnerable youngsters alone and in the dark on country roads as they attempted to get to the people trying to collect them. There are also reports of major delays accessing the site on Saturday.
Groups who objected to the festival moving to Strathallan had warned that the estate’s rural roads would not be able to cope with the huge numbers of people trying to access and leave the site.A spokeswoman for the festival has said sorry to those affected and said measures were being put in place to try to avoid a repeat this evening.
She said problems were made worse by hundreds of people walking back to an unofficial campsite on the edge of the estate.
“We would like to apologise to all those affected by the delays at the pick-up points last night,” she said.
“Access for vehicles into the event was restricted due to a knock-on effect of approximately 500 people attempting to walk three miles back to an unofficial campsite who had not provided them with any other option.
“They ignored our advice to provide transport for fans there. We did clear the queue as quickly as we could.”
She added: “We have reviewed the situation with our planning team and have put measures in place for the end of tonight’s show, including additional stewarding, extra signage and transport for people camping in the unofficial campsites to ensure your experience is improved this evening.”
T in the Park has advised those travelling to the site to plan ahead.
“Please remember this is a major event and it will still take some time to get in and off site,” she added. “Be patient, follow event signage and the advice of stewards. Most of all, keep safe.”
However, there are fresh complaints today with festival-goers warning of long delays getting into the site on Saturday afternoon.
Raquel Castro posted: “Took us two hours to get to the gates. Huge queue and lack or organisation. People angry and cutting the queue. We were almost crushed!”
Alannah Robertson added: “This is a joke we have been queuing for nearly an hour and a half to get in and are nowhere near. Why pay for a day ticket when we are going to miss half the bands?”
Event manager Colin Rodger said: “Our goal is always for T in the Park fans to have a fantastic time, from start to finish, and we’re really disappointed that this wasn’t the case for some people last night.
“We did clear the queue as quickly as we could and the majority of customers were on their way home by 2am.
“We’ve reviewed the situation this morning with our planning team to ensure their experience is improved this evening.”