To think this must be illegal and chessington EOA are putting the public At risk

[user1492337624]

So been chessington today
Been a pretty good day a few issues but nothing major
Of course it was busy as you would expect on a bank holiday weekend

But the thing that really ruined the day was getting trapped in the gridlocked car park for , almost two hours

I mean surely this must be breaking some kind of health and safety law

Who can I report this to other Than merlin ?
Health and safety executive ?
Someone else better to report it too

I'm not really sure what you expect - it was busy, it's a bank holiday weekend, there were traffic queues. Go at a quiet time if you'd rather avoid queues?

This happens at Legoland all the time - I can't understand the danger?

What were you at risk of? It's obvious there will be queues on busy days.

I've been trapped in Tesco car park for two hours in the past. And a TK Maxx carpark. It's just what happens when the volume of traffic is too heavy. I'm not sure that realistically there is much that anyone can do about it, unless I suppose they were to sell tickets that expired at intervals throughout the day, thereby forcing people to leave before closing time?

I don't think there are any laws for this tbh, your still 'trapped' when stuck in traffic on the m25 on a busy day.

Although if you did complain to merlin, you may get some free tickets?

I think the HSE have real health and safety issues to deal with.

I don't understand what the health and safety risk is? Surely it's just the same as being stuck in traffic on the London ring road? Or those poor sods that were stacked for the French ferry for days?

I always have water and a few kids snacks in the boot of the car in case we have a terrible time in traffic. A lot of my friends think I'm OTT but a two hour jam with a screaming baby makes me right lol

I got stuck in the NIA car park for about two hours once. Because when the show finishes believe it or not but everyone gets in their car and goes home, from the same car park.

We had snacks and conversation.

Trapped? Have you been on a motorway in a traffic jam?

Or even a supermarket/retail park car park Christmas week?

It's rubbish being stuck in traffic, but not much anyone can do.

What's the risk and what do you suggest? Staggered exit times? As long as you're happy with that...

Leaving stadium gigs etc much worse. I don't drive but I used to, better to miss the end of the gig really.

What exactly do you want to report ?

What laws do you think would cover the situation OP? I honestly don't think you will find there are any.

You could easily Google the HSE and check it out though.

yanbu
they are pretty efficient at getting everyone parked up at opening time, surely they can get organised so that there is less chaos at closing?

The other Xmas, people queued about 7 hours to get out of Bluewater shopping centre. It happens.

It's a bank holiday weekend - 2 hours, frustrating, yes, but not dangerous.

I don't think you ABU. I agree with pp who said they can get you parked up so they should be able to get you out with similar organisation. But when you're leaving you've already spent your money with them so they don't give a shit.
I think people are far too accepting of crap organisation like this and that if more people complained they would do something about it.
It's one of the reasons I hate big crowded events like concerts and sports events. Getting out is always a total pain and ruins the event IMO so I can't really be bothered or I'd have to leave before the official end to avoid the queues. Life is too short to get stuck like that.

It can be really hard to turn right out of there and it really backs up the traffic, they could do with some traffic lights on the main road to stop the traffic so people can get out.

shoeshavesouls we were stuck in that! It was hell. Thankfully the DCs fell asleep.

OP it's just one of those things, unfortunately.
We usually try to hang around for a bit longer in the park. Have another drink / something to eat. Have a wander about. Go for a wee and delay getting back to the car until the first crowds are gone.

But what could they do realistcally, mammamia? Other than set limits on time spent there which hits visitor enjoyment negatively; or raise the charges for parking so people don't staymso long unless they pay more - same effect as the former suggestion.

There is an entrance and an exit. Queues are inevitable on sunny days on a bh w/e. OP just jas to live with it. Don't let it mar your memories of a fun day out, user149 that's about the only thing in your power.

We were stuck on a car park trying to leave the v festival once, for five hours. Pretty annoying but predictable and not remotely unsafe.

....it'a the bank holiday? What do you expect?

Yes it's a bit crap on the organisation side. They know they will be busy but they can't control outside traffic.
The easy answer would be to stagger exit times so you have to leave early if you arrive early but people would complain then too.
Why do you think the HSE would be interested? I'd complain to Merlin about their handling. Toilets and free water would have helped calm people.

You've never been to silverstone then.

Tbh these days I leave places like this early to avoid car park queues. I could see chessington parking was.going.to be grim last time we went.