The
first of the thousands of Spectators arrived early in
wet and windy conditions at the Car Park:
The two pictures above show the condition of the top
entrance to the car park at 10:45am.
There has been much discussion and concern in the local media as the car park
access was closed off at approximately 12:30.
Premature Car
Park Closure
The car park had to be closed at just after 12.30, with approximately 900 cars parked.
The appalling weather conditions resulted in serious deterioration of the ground leaving nowhere safe to park.
The decision was therefore taken, on the grounds of safety on the site, to close
the car park long before the event had ended.
The Cheese-Rolling continued as per program & concluding at about 14:30.
It would appear from comments in the
local press and elsewhere, from people who had been turned away, that they were
told (allegedly by the police or other authority), that the event was
over.
This information, if indeed it was given, was not correct, the event was still
running as per program in spite of the worsening weather conditions.
The last official race was due at 13:20, but due to medical emergency cover requirements, could not start until a little later (possibly 13:30 or soon after), after a casualty had received treatment.
Many, now regular, but unofficial
"Fun Runs" followed the official program, so it is probable that the
last runners left the slopes at as late as 14:30.
(I do not have an exact timing on this, but would welcome confirmation from
anyone taking pictures with time stamps – Webmaster).
Severe Traffic
Congestion in the area on the A46, A417 and other local roads.
The premature closure of the Official Car Park caused considerable congestion
due the many hopeful spectators still arriving at the now closed car park, as
there was no suitable alternative.
You may well take the view that this was deliberate mis-information by the authorities in an effort to clear traffic from the area, rather than have people driving around in an effort to park elsewhere and still attend, though somewhat late.
| Dear Webmaster, I can confirm 100% that the police at the car park were telling later arrivals that the event had finished early when it actually was still going. I was a visitor to the roll on Monday and had a great (if wet and cold) time. However, I had a friend who was planning to participate but was held up in the bad traffic. When he finally arrived at 12:50, he was told by a police officer that the event was over - that it had finished early because of the conditions. He rang me at 12.55, but I missed the call because my phone was buried in my bag to keep it dry and I didn't hear it. If I had picked up the call, I could have told him that people were still throwing themselves down the hill! I think its terrible that the police were lying! Denise McDonald |
(I personally have confirmed reports of spectators parking at Birdlip and walking to the Cheese Rolling! – Webmaster)
Further congestion on the A46 was caused by traffic avoiding an incident on the M5 Motorway between junctions 12 and 11A.
I am sure that the organisers, though they have made no official comment, would wish to sympathise with the inconvenience and disappointment caused to thousands of Competitors and Spectators, some of whom had travelled many miles to attend this spectacular annual event. The events, as they unfolded on the day were, of course, beyond their control.
Up to date information, including updated weather forecasts, was, as always, provided on this web site which is dedicated to the Cheese-Rolling event. For those who rang or emailed to enquire if the event was going ahead, the information was there, waiting for you to access, on the web site.
Updates were made up to 10:20 on the morning of the event and included all information, including the latest weather reports and forecasts, available at that time. – The weather was as, (indeed slightly better than) predicted by the Met Office.
This web site (www.Cheese-Rolling.co.uk) is independent and editorially free of control by the organising committee of the Cheese-Rolling event. It exists to inform all interested parties of details of this unique event.