HIGHWAYS bosses are hoping traffic generated by next year’s York Balloon Fiesta can be "better managed" after the weekend event caused chaos for motorists and bus passengers.

First York said most of its Park & Ride and city services were severely disrupted by increased traffic on the roads on Saturday and it wanted to apologise to customers who were affected.

Managing director Marc Bichtemann said that while the Fiesta was attended by more people than organisers had anticipated, the severe disruption could have been avoided had a more flexible approach to parking arrangements been implemented sooner.

He said First was now keen to work with City of York Council to ensure Park & Ride became a key element for all such future events.

Motorists also slated the delays they faced trying to drive around the city. One commented on the York Press website: “Two hours from Foss Island to Dringhouses is not acceptable." Another said: “It was gridlock from the Fox (pub) on Holgate Road,” while a third commented: “Never have I known the traffic to be so out of control.”

James Gilchrist, assistant director of highways at the council, said it worked with event organisers and travel partners to promote and publicise the variety of ways people could travel to events. He said at the Fiesta First operated an extended and discounted Park&Ride service from Askham Bar which was promoted.

“The fiesta was much more popular than last year, but unlike race meetings we can’t predict when people are going to arrive at an all-day event,” he said. “We took steps to help traffic flow and support residents with parking restrictions and enforcement action.

“With the event organiser, police and Make It York, we’ll look at the lessons that can be learnt and how this event can be managed better next year.”

One of the festival organisers Oliver Webb said: "There were 25,000 people on site and when that many people arrive you’re going to have increased levels of traffic. We managed the situation as safely and efficiently as possible. We can look at what happened and make improvements for future years.”