POLICE have said people could die if Chelmsford racecourse is allowed to hold similar events that saw thousands of people stranded after a Justin Timberlake concert. The review of the Great Leigh venue’s licence follows concerns from Essex Police after people were left queuing for hours to leave reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

About 24,000 fans had packed out Chelmsford City Live in July to see the American singer on the Friday and other stars across the weekend of July 4 to 6. But the event was marred after people were left queuing for hours to leave. Many took to walking home which police say could have resulted in a fatal road accident.

This has been supported by the licensing authority which says the licensing objectives of public safety and prevention of public nuisance were not upheld. Both Essex Police and the licensing authority at Chelmsford City Council believe future events should be limited to 5,000 people.

They say the main concern was the failure of the traffic management plan – described by Essex Police as a “catastrophic failure”. A statement from Essex Police said in its submission: “If similar events were to take place in the future it could potentially lead to a very serious incident or fatality.

“The event site is situated adjacent to the A131, this is a main route from Chelmsford to Braintree. The location and infrastructure surrounding the event is just not appropriate to hold large scale events.

“Similar incidents have occurred at the racecourse showing that this is not an isolated incident and that if future events of this scale were to take place the same concerns will arise.”

The police say vehicles were abandoned on grass verges, roundabouts and local roads causing significant nuisance to residents and endangered endangering road users.

It added: “Without the significant police interventions during the events held it is our belief that a serious injury or fatality could have occurred on the roads.”

One attendee has submitted testimony about their own experiences. They said: “While the concert itself was enjoyable once we got in there after three and a half hours, the experience of exiting the venue — specifically from the prepaid ‘Blue Car Park’ — was nothing short of chaotic and dangerous.

“After the concert ended just before 11pm, my friend and I walked to our car only to find the entire car park gridlocked. Vehicles were at a complete standstill for hours, with no visible staff, stewards, or signage to guide attendees.

“The original exit signs had been moved, leaving thousands of people confused and stranded. We were stuck in one of the may connecting fields for over three hours, finally exiting around 2.30am, and I did not arrive home until 2.45am.

“During this time, there was no access to water, no visible staff presence, and no emergency support. Alarmingly, a man near my vehicle suffered a medical emergency, and when 999 was called, we had to inform paramedics that they would not be able to reach him due to the gridlock.

“This situation was not only unacceptable — it was potentially life-threatening. The lack of a proper risk assessment, emergency planning, and traffic management raises serious questions about how this event was even approved.

“I witnessed people arguing, visibly distressed, and some resorting to abandoning their car, climbing fences and walking along the central reservation of the bypass to get home. It was clear that public safety was not prioritised, and I am genuinely shocked that no one was seriously injured.”

A submission on behalf of the licensing authority has said traffic management has been an issue for larger events at the racecourse for some years. One of the main risk areas is people leaving the site on foot in the dark via the main entrance on the A131 and walking on, along the verge, or across the dual carriageway when vehicles can be moving at speed.

It adds that events with smaller capacities than this event have previously caused similar issues and exiting the venue has always presented challenges – most recently at Clockstock in 2023, a Ministry of Sound event in 2024 and ‘Ladies Day’ events in 2025.

The racecourse had advised that a temporary footbridge was to be erected over the A131 with the main car park and Pick Up and Drop Off area on fields off London Road, to the southeast of the racecourse.

However this proposal for the pedestrian bridge was scrapped approximately a month before the event. This meant that a new approach was put together and the fields off Moulsham Hall Lane were then to be used as the main car park, with a one-way system to get into/out the parking area via Blackley Lane.

A spokesperson for Chelmsford City Racecourse said: “We look forward to working with local authorities to deliver great events for people this region. As the license review process is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments until it’s conclusion.”