Isle of Wight Festival goers had a night of chaos

Last night was one many would rather forget for those who arrived on the Isle of Wight Festival yesterday after heavy traffic congestion on the island blocked the ports, making it impossible for cars bound for the festival to be able to get anywhere.

eFestivals has been contacted by a number of festival goers who tried to get on site yesterday, but when the car parks had to close after mud and lack of wet weather provision meant that traffic clogged up the transport network all the way to the ferry terminals, no one was able to move. Buses stopped running and foot passengers had to walk all the way to the site. Some were trapped on ferries in the Solent for hours.

Those trying to arrive by car faced all night queues or diverted parking at the Newport football ground, B&Q car park or spent a night in their cars. New fields were opened but rapidly cut up and became impassable. The festival did try to get food and drink to those stuck in their cars without facilities.

Today Wightlink, the ferry company, say they expect at least the same amount of traffic again today, and the festival are using alternative car parks with gravel, wood chip, and trackways also going down. However whether it relieves the situation, with queues still at a standstill confirmed on the island at 7am this morning, no one is sure if the problem will be resolved. There are also now cars with drivers asleep after being stuck in traffic, adding to the stand still. Festival organisers say in all the years holding they have never known such a problem and it's a steep learning curve for them as they try to deal with muddy conditions.

For many the main issue was a lack of information during the night, with those stuck in queues not knowing what was going on, many feared the festival had been shut down when the Big Top was closed for a while last night after strong winds, and the BBC news channel reporting they had heard rumours the festival had been halted. Festival goers are also disappointed that essentials like a bottle of water are priced at £4 on site.

eFestivals recommends that festival goers seeking information listen to the local radio station on 107 or 102 fm.

Last night festival organisers apologised for the delays, and are now recommending those still trying to get to the festival do not come by car. For many the lack of a central information service for those trying to find out what is happening, with updates not being forthcoming on official Facebook or Twitter feeds has been frustrating.

Some people are now leaving the festival after a night of high winds damaged tents and left people with no dry clothing, and too tired to face the weekend.

After a night trying to get updates the queues for phone charging services are going to be long over the weekend.

The line-up this weekend includes Friday night's headliner will be Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Saturday it's the turn of Pearl Jam, and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will headline the Sunday, with Elbow, Biffy Clyro, Noel Gallagher, Primal Scream, Example, The Darkness, Jessie J, Feeder, Professor Green, Wretch 32, Magnetic Man, Kelis, Miles Kane, Caro Emerald, Loick Essien, Clement Marfo & the Frontline, Enter Shikari, Katy B, Ash, Noah & The Whale, The Vaccines, Madness, Crystal Castles, The Charlatans, Tinie Tempah, Band Of Skulls, Labrinth, Joan Armatrading, Groove Armada Present Red Light, Black Stone Cherry, Spector, Zulu Winter, Terry Reid, Brit Floyd, and more confirmed.

For the line-up details as available please click here.

The festival has moved into the fallow Glastonbury Festival weekend for one year only. The eleventh Isle of Wight Festival takes place on Friday 22nd until Sunday 24th June 2012 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Tickets were priced at £190 for adult camping, and £95 for a child ticket (aged 7 to 12 years). The price of an adult ticket without camping is £160 and £80 for children (aged 7 to 12 years). All children 6 years old and under on 22nd June 2012 can go for free but must still have a ticket. A campervan permit will be priced at £100 (all occupiers must also have a valid Camping ticket). Every person attending the festival must purchase a ticket. This includes babes in arms.

Some tickets are still available on the gate, if you can get there.

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