Castletown Concert Committee Report

Report >> 4.2 Car Parking

The complaints in relation to car parking were varied and pointed at failings in relation to lack of stewards, general condition of car parks, difficulties exiting, lighting, pathways and signage.

While some of the following has already been touched on, it requires repeating so that the context of the overall difficulties and challenges are not lost sight of. The Garda Síochána had responsibility for traffic management outside the venue, while MCD were responsible for that within.

Events Parking LTD, a very experienced and professional company on traffic management and parking were engaged by MCD for this event. Events Parking LTD had worked with MCD on numerous occasions over the years and are highly regarded by them.

A few days before the concert date MCD and Event Parking LTD met on site to examine the intended parking areas. Both organisations recognised, that without a break in the weather, there would be difficulties in providing optimum parking facilities.

At this meeting there was a realisation that the five car parks would in fact be reduced to two as under the circumstances car parks 1, 2 and 4 could not be in a fit state for parking.

On the day of the concert, 14th July, Events Parking LTD took control of internal traffic control and parking. They had in total 30 operatives on site. The intention was that two lanes of traffic, as per the event management plan, would continue from the entrance road straight up to the car parks close to the venues.

A factor affecting the difficulties that arose at the event and in particular the car parking issues was the overall expectation by some of the patrons in so far as what facilities one would expect at an outdoor concert as against a covered one. The committee was surprised that from the start there appeared to have been an automatic belief, by a small number of people, that the Barbra Streisand concert was to be performed indoors.

From the opening of the gates at 4.30pm the cars began to flow into car parks 3 and 5. From the outset, traffic flow and car park 3 were considered satisfactory, however, the larger car park 5 was feeling the pressure from the start. The ground conditions caused this. While rigid track-ways were in use to facilitate cars moving towards the parking bays, there was an understandable concern and nervousness by some patrons who would not have experienced such difficult conditions as driving on and off the track- ways and then onto a grass surface. Traversing in such circumstances naturally reduced the pace of the traffic into the venue. There is no doubt that as each hour passed the ground was deteriorating. This in turn created further difficulties for patrons and stewards when exiting the car parks. In the best of conditions to move thousands of cars through the exits takes a long time, however in the conditions that prevailed at Castletown House it took much longer.

Some patrons we interviewed, being experienced concert goers, were able to visually mark the location of their cars once they had parked. Others had great difficulties in finding their cars after the event. Lighting and signage were complained of as well as the availability of stewards. Trying to establish the adequacy or the lack of it, created difficulty for the committee as different viewpoints were expressed. It appears that while experienced outdoor concert goers might have found the arrangements adequate, others were not satisfied.

The conclusions we have reached in relation to complaints on car parking is as follows;

1. Weather conditions created a major problem for the promoters MCD in the provision of optimum parking for patrons. Within days of the event, 3 car parks were lost. Alternative hard-core parking was refused them (the reason for the refusal was very understandable and is not in any way criticised by the committee).

2. The reduction to two car parks did create many problems already referred to.

3. While signage and/or lighting created problems for some, others were able to cope well. It is the view of the committee that for outdoor concerts the emphasis should be on more than adequate signage and lighting rather than just adequate.

4. While there were 30 parking staff on site, which in some circumstances would be quite sufficient for 2 car parks. We believe, in abnormal conditions, as prevailed at this concert, extra stewarding should have been provided.

5. While the track-way provided by MCD in the car parks, including the extra amount taken from the Oxegen site at Punchestown, should have been adequate the committee is of the view that extra track way should have been available for the particular conditions that had to be dealt with by staff and patrons. An additional lane of track-way would have considerably helped the situation.

6. While staff worked strenuously in assisting patrons to traverse through and out of the car parks, the abuse they received and appalling behaviour of some patrons was disgraceful. The committee was informed of this not only by staff but also by patrons who witnessed such behaviour.

In the run up to the concert the promoters MCD, taking the deteriorating weather conditions in to account, considered issues such as 'Park and Ride' for the event. They were satisfied that park and ride at that stage would be impractical. They also discussed cancellation of the concert. Considering the unlikelihood of ever getting the artiste to do a live show in Ireland in the future, with the huge disappointment this would have been for the fans, it was decided not to cancel the event and to press on. In hindsight the alternative decision may have been the better one, however decisions have to be made on the day and not in hindsight.

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