Robbie fans miss gig due to gridlock

British police were reviewing their handling of the Robbie Williams gigs today after thousands of fans got caught in traffic jams and missed last night’s show.

Many had to make do with listening to muffled music from the hard shoulder while others who saw the show spent more than five hours trying to get out of the car park.

Organisers are planning a shake-up in strategy to avoid similar scenes at tonight’s performance in Knebworth Park.

“Certainly there is a plan that is being reviewed and revised in co-operation with the traffic management consultants,” a Hertfordshire Police spokesman said.

“Overall we are responsible – that was said at the briefing.”

The spokesman said the “sheer volume of traffic” descending on the venue caused chaos at the opening night of Robbie’s three-night show.

“It was the sheer volume of people trying to get in,” he said.

“There were some pinch points where people could not get into the car park quickly enough and there was a question of access from the roads.”

Trouble arose when people ignored the signs restricting concert-goers to the inside lane, stayed in the middle and fast lane and then could not cut in at the concert exit junction.

Tailbacks developed along a 10-mile stretch of the A1 in Hertfordshire from Baldock to Stevenage.

Press Association photographer Yui Mok said he set out from Walthamstow, north London at 4pm and had spent more than five hours in traffic jams.

He said many of the cars in the jam had been heading for Knebworth and missed the gig, prompting many drivers to sound their horns.

Mok said: “There was terrible organisation. There were no police or stewards to explain what was going on. I am gutted to miss the gig and so are my colleagues.”

Robbie Williams fan Paul Glover was “gutted” after paying €57 to hear a muffled version of his favourite song, Angels, from the hard shoulder of the A1.

The 31-year-old from Kent set off at midday with five friends to watch his pop idol perform live, but the group spent nine hours stuck in traffic on the A1 between junctions six and seven.

The police spokesman said they expected traffic to be lighter today because it was the weekend, but conceded there could still be pressure on traffic.

“Today should be a little better anyway as there isn’t the regular Friday night rush,” he said.

“Take away the Friday night rush and it should improve, but nevertheless there will no doubt still be problems.

“Some people do not leave enough time to get here – people must leave more time.”

As an expected 125,000 descended on the stately home today, fans were repeatedly urged to leave plenty of time to reach the venue.

The weather is expected to be dry and sunny – unlike last night where people delayed their journey because of the rain.

Last night, the fans who did make it went wild as Robbie kicked off the gig with his hit Let Me Entertain You,

Descending on to the stage from the ceiling suspended by wires, he introduced himself with the words: “Good evening everybody, my name is Robbie Williams.”

Surveying the huge sea of faces, an emotional Williams told them: “For the first time in my life, I’m speechless.

“I really hope I can do a show that will make you proud. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life, ever.”

He treated the crowd to his biggest hits, including She’s the One, Rock DJ and Feel, plus tracks from his latest album Escapology.