Prestonians have told of their ‘amazing’ experiences at BBC Radio 2 In The Park – but concerns over the congestion leaving the festival site and bus services in the evening.

More than 30,000 people saw Sting, Snow Patrol, Sugababes and more during the Saturday of the festival in its second year of operating outside of London.

Blog Preston has received lots of messages and comments about the festival, with people buzzing about the city hosting such a large-scale event for the first time in more than a decade.

Read more: BBC Radio 2 In The Park latest news and info

Mandy Hardaker from Lea attended the festival with her family.

She said: “The whole event was amazing with fantastic acts and announcers.

“It is superb value for money when you think about it and we spotted a lot of celebs too – including getting a pic with Dev from EastEnders.

“I think they could have made the no-chair area border clearer. We had to move back in the end, and I had a very pregnant daughter with me.”

Mandy went on to talk of her experience leaving the festival site.

She told Blog Preston: “We were crushed more than once when trying to get out.

“I think there was the potential for a lot of accidents. We didn’t understand why they didn’t open more of the exits rather than funnel everyone through one.

“We were herded like cattle towards the main entrance and had to stop to get through the fencing area which was either side of the stage to get back to the exit area near the DJ stage.

“Surely it’s common sense to have a clearer exit path.

“I’m sure there’s lessons to learn and it’s something Preston would need to think about when hosting more big events – which we’d all love to see.”

A number of Blog Preston readers commented on how the positioning of the food stalls island, and its proximity to where people had begun pitching chairs, caused disruption as queues snaked back into where people were sat.

Michael Lonergan shared a picture of him and family, with Snow Patrol being his highlight.

He said: “What a fabulous day on Moor Park today.

“Preston City Council and Radio 2 should be commended for putting on an amazing, safe and well organised and thoroughly enjoyable event.”

A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “We appreciate that there was a lot of people leaving the event all at the same time but safety of the event guests is the number one priority. Exiting by the main entrance gives guests the best access to all the transport options.

“There were lots of friendly stewards on hand to help direct people along the well lit walking routes and to designated bus and taxi points, to ensure everybody got home safely.There was a lovely atmosphere and people left in an orderly manner, leaving the event with lots of happy chatter from people swapping stories of their best bits of the day!”

A BBC spokesperson told Blog Preston: “We have put in more walkways and reconfigured some barriers lines to ensure there are more clearly marked walkways for today’s event. And, given the forecast, we would like to remind anyone attending to please wear suitable footwear for both the weather – and for dancing!”

The festival site included a lot of features aimed at making the festival inclusive and accessible.

A large raised viewing platform was in position for ticket-holders with disabilities and there was an under-18s welfare tent and a quiet space for those needing some time out from the festival crowds.

Experiences getting home seemed mixed – with some saying their pre-booked taxis worked like a dream while others endured a long wait and inflated prices. Those who aimed for public transport saw some cancelled trains and packed buses, while others were able to use local knowledge to know where to get onto some bus routes.

Beverley Allen said: “Really impressed with arrangements. We got the train from Blackpool, walked across the road from the station and got on the 19 to Moor Park (£2). At the end walked back to the station, well signed, lots of traffic control. Train back to Blackpool was very busy but we got on. A great night.”

There was a well signposted and lit walking route along Deepdale Road, with martials guiding people down the street which was full to bursting with people.

But a lot of people chose to walk via the Moor Park Avenue and Garstang Road route which was unlit and had no marshals until the Ringway/North Road crossing or if you cut up onto Moor Lane.

Preston Bus Station was closed off at 10pm – as it normally is each night with access to the car park maintained – meaning all passengers had to use the night stands on the coach station on the side of the building. There were also large crowds of people at bus stops along the route, as they followed Google Map walking routes to track down bus routes.

No additional staff or bus services were put on by Lancashire County Council and Stagecoach – with bus drivers being left to try and deal with large groups of people trying to get onto often single-decker bus services after 10pm. Preston Bus did announce additional services and changes to routes – as well as a shuttle bus operating to and from Moor Park.

Mike Nelson said: “Driver shut the doors on a poor woman, literally clipping her in the doors just in front of me and exclaimed as they was closing “no more, bus full”. I did find it strange there was no double deckers in service. But I managed to catch the 23:05 back to Leyland with only 10 or 15 standing once all the seats was full.”

But that wasn’t the experience for everyone, another bus user Stephen Lambert said: “Got home to Walton Le Dale within an hour. Just because the station is closed doesn’t mean the buses aren’t running. Got the 125 and it cost a quid. Great job.”

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