Telford: Balloon 'night glow' cancelled over safety fears

Organisers of a free balloon festival have said they will "look again" at how visitor numbers are managed next year after a key event had to be cancelled.

Telford Balloon Fiesta's popular "night glow" was called off on safety grounds on Saturday after the site reached capacity and crowds were refused entry.

Marianne McGrath, who did not get in, said the installation of barriers this year had led to an "absolute shambles".

The council said the fencing was used to control numbers after safety advice.

About 9,000 people attended the event at Telford Town Park on Saturday.

Several thousand more were reported to be outside ahead of the night glow event, where hot air balloons are illuminated against the darkening sky.

Psyche Hudson, arts and culture manager for the local authority, said people were "breaching" security and giving workers "a hard time".

She said the cancellation, about an hour before the event's start, was "extremely disappointing" but was on police advice.

"It was the most difficult decision for me to make, but I had to make that call given that advice because it is just in the interests of public safety.

"We just could not go ahead. There's just too many people," she said.

"The police said they basically didn't have the resource to manage what was going on out there."

Marianne McGrath, of Telford, said she had waited for about an hour with family members to get into the event.

She said people were "frustrated and angry" and while some were making jokes, the mood was quite tense.

Mrs McGrath said her five-year-old nephew was "incredibly disappointed" he could not go into the arena.

She had attended two other night glow events at the site, which she said were "absolutely superb", despite being busy.

"I really want someone to explain why barriers were installed this year as it was an absolute shambles.

"This has caused nothing but issues - ridiculous waiting times, families being separated by the barrier and parents trying to get over the fence to their children."

She said one man, who took his 80-year-old father-in-law home, was unable to re-join his family, despite earlier telling security workers he would be back.

The council said that Saturday was "exceptionally busy" and it apologised to people looking forward to the show.

"Fencing at the arena was put up on advice of emergency services and health and safety advisors to help control numbers and on police advice.

"The decision to cancel the night-time show was made to keep everyone safe.

"We'll be looking again at how we manage visitor numbers next year," the council added.

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