Liberty Stadium bosses have apologised after Take That fans were forced to wait in long queues ahead of their concert on Wednesday night.
The gig started slightly behind schedule with some fans reportedly missing the start after large numbers found themselves waiting to get in as queues stretched out of the stadium and even around the roundabout outside.
Fans with bags were asked to join the two long queues surrounding the stadium. People with no bags were able to walk in.
One fan speaking before the concert, said: “We have been here half an hour now and moved about 50 metres - can’t see them getting everyone in for a long time - and there’s more joining the queues all the time.”
A spokesman for the Liberty Stadium, said: “We are very aware that there were significant queues, we would like to apologise to all those affected by the length of those queues and would hope that it has not adversely affected their experience of what was a fantastic show.
“The Stadium, along with the Council and external agencies, had spent a significant amount of time preparing for this event, which attracted by far the biggest attendance to the stadium since it opened in 2005.
“Those preparations had involved a number of planning meetings, some of which have taken place following recent tragic events in Manchester and London.
“It is our intention to fully review the arrangements for last night’s concert collectively, as part of a formal debrief, and in advance of planning for future events.”
Fans may have been surprised to see large trucks parked across the roads leading to the stadium.
Swansea Council said this was part of safety measures.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: “Like other major events across the UK, including the recent Champions League final in Cardiff, large council vehicles were used in the area of the Liberty Stadium for the Take That concert.
“Safety at any event will always be of paramount importance, so following discussions with the police and other partners, these vehicles were put in place to help reassure concert-goers.”
The Liberty is increasingly being used as a concert venue and has already hosted large concerts from Lionel Ritchie and the Manic Street Preachers.
The spokesman added: “It’s inevitable that 32,000 concert-goers will lead to congestion before and after the event. This is the same for every major event across the UK.
“We did all we could to manage traffic and get people to and from the concert as safely as possible, This included the widely publicised closure of the dual carriageway outside the stadium after the event to help concert-goers make their way out as safely as possible.
“This road closure, the volume of traffic and the diversions in place meant it naturally took time for some motorists to leave their car parks, but stewards were on hand and we kept concert-goers and other motorists regularly updated with information through the local media and social media.
“Detailed travel plans form part of all major events in Swansea. Following each event of this kind, travel plans are reviewed to see if improvements can be made, wherever possible, by working with event organisers and other partners.”
