HUNDREDS of football fans who had watched the U’s snatch a rare cup victory had their evenings ruined when they were locked in a car park for more than an hour after full time.
About 200 fans left their cars at the Colchester Park and Ride before the cup tie against Reading on Tuesday night, expecting the car park to be locked at 10.30pm.
The game finished at about 9.55pm because the Carabao Cup tie had gone to penalties, but by that time a member of Essex County Council staff had locked the gate to park and ride facility.
It meant both Reading and Colchester United fans were left waiting until 11pm before they could get home.
It is not understood how fans were able to get out of the car park, with some witnesses suggesting one of the gates had been forced open so people could get out.
When contacted by the Gazette, Essex County Council did not confirm how fans left the car park.
Stephen Collis, who had travelled from Maldon to watch the game, said one of the gates looked damaged when he left the car park by about 11pm.
He said: “I got back to the car park after the game and thought, ‘I can’t believe this’.
“I’m sure they smashed the gate open, and I can’t blame them – nobody from the council came to help.
“I had to wait for over an hour, because that is one of the biggest crowds I have seen for an August cup game for a long time.”
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “The Colchester Park and Ride site was due to remain open until 10.30pm, however, there appears to have been a breakdown in communication.
“We apologise for any upset or distress caused to customers at the site.
“Colchester Park and Ride has been supporting events at Colchester United’s stadium for many years and this has never happened before. New processes will be implemented to prevent this happening again.
“We will be refunding all customers who purchased their ticket using MiPermit.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel