SCORES of disgruntled race-goers have been contacting The Press with their stories of weekend woe.

The Press reported yesterday that Knavesmire bosses apologised to punters for the traffic chaos at Saturday's John Smith's Cup meeting.

Since then our website and email have been bombarded with tales from people who attended the packed event.

One anonymous punter, commenting on our website, said: "I've been to York races God knows how many times, and I have to say Saturday was the only time I've not enjoyed myself, and a lot we spoke to afterwards said the same. We were in the Grandstand, and getting a drink was near enough impossible.

"There were four people serving, one of whom spent most of the 30 minutes we queued, before giving up, talking to someone she knew.

"No one could move anywhere. York really didn't look capable of hosting such a big crowd."

The second day of the two-day meeting on Saturday drew the biggest crowds the racecourse has seen since Royal Ascot, with 42,548 people turning out.

But for many the event was marred by traffic chaos caused by car parks that had turned into quagmires and people parking illegally, including buses double parking in Knavesmire Road leading into the course.

The situation was made worse by an accident on the north bound carriageway of the A1 at Wetherby, which led to lengthy tailbacks on the A64 for punters entering the city from further afield.

Punter Janet Day said: "Since when has it been possible to charge for car parking on Knavesmire? Knavesmire is common land and, as such, is free for all to use.

"One expects to pay to enter the racecourse area itself, but, having attended race meetings at York for many years as a family, we have never been charged for parking until Saturday when a fee of £5 per car was requested.

"To add insult to injury, we were informed that no parking charge was made on the previous day.

Parking fees levied on such an ad hoc basis, and when the area is a virtual quagmire, do nothing to encourage race-goers to what is otherwise a great day out."

Racecourse spokesman James Brennan apologised to anyone who was caught up in the traffic gridlock in Bishopthorpe Road and Knavesmire Road.

Mr Brennan said: "As ever, we will sit down with the council and the police and see if there's anything we want to do ahead of the next meeting."

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said: "A date has yet to be set for our meeting with the police and racecourse owners, but we will be working together closely to look at the transport plan ahead of the next meeting in August."