Criticism of transport options following Bruce Springsteen concert in Cork as fans left with long walks to city centre in the rain

MORE than 40,000 people attended Bruce Springsteen’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh concert last night, but many fans were left with a long walk in the rain afterwards.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City North-East John Maher, who was at the concert himself, said “I’m lucky, I’m able-bodied and could walk, but lots of people there could have struggled, and it’s a fair walk to the city.

“They expected people to walk and cycle in areas that were not well lit, flooded, not drained properly and on footpaths that are in shocking condition.” 

Extra train services were put on for concertgoers who lived in Cobh, Midleton and Mallow, but those who lived in other areas ended up parking far away from the concert and walking after failing to get a taxi, with Mr Maher saying that there were none available due to the sheer number of people who attended the show.

BLACK ASH

The Black Ash park and ride service closed as usual at 8.30pm, drawing criticism from many concert goers.

Mr Maher raised the issue in a council meeting at the beginning of January, putting in a motion ‘that Cork City Council engage with the NTA, Bus Éireann and concert organisers to ensure we have additional bus services for Bruce Springsteen Concert’ and late night services for other busy nights, which received full support.

A Bus Eireann spokesperson told The Echo, “Planning and licencing in relation to additional public transport for concerts, events, etc. falls under the remit of the NTA, local authorities and event organisers, not the individual bus/public transport operators.” 

Mr Maher criticised that the company’s response was just to pass the problem over, “regardless of whose responsibility it is, it had been flagged, the idea that we bring 40,000 people into the city and none of the key stakeholders have discussed it is ridiculous.” 

He said he was “frustrated” by the situation, explaining that they have done it before for previous concerts and matches, “I didn’t come up with this idea, when you have something that works, why would you get rid of it?” 

He added that he has put in a Freedom of Information request to see who exactly made this decision and what discussion was had around it, saying “I want to know what was done since my motion.” 

At an April 30 press conference ahead of the concert, Superintendent John Deasy of Anglesea Street said, “The difficulty with shuttle busses is that we are trying to encourage pedestrian access to the grounds, and sometimes if you have too many other options it impacts upon people coming by foot or by cycling.

“As well as that, after the events, sometimes we have found that whilst there was shuttle busses available, we just couldn't get them away because of the pedestrian traffic,” Mr Deasy said.

Shane Mates of Aiken Promotions said they were concerned by “the impact that it would have on patrons as they go to leave, the congestion that would be around the stadium, and the amount of time that it would take, so that’s why we decided against it.”

 Cork City Council told The Echo that there are many organisations involved in the management of large events and that they “engage with all parties involved” with regards to the Park & Ride facility supporting events.

“A number of issues have been identified including Health & Safety e.g. people walking along the South City Link Road to access the Park & Ride after an event etc.” 

They noted that they “extensively permit” the use of the Park & Ride site to support many other events.