THE organisers of a motor show may have to downsize because the roads cannot cope with the popularity of the event.

Those in charge of The Barleylands Motor Show struggled with thousands more visitors and less staff then expected during the event at the weekend,

James Martin, from Motor Show Events, who ran the event at the farm in Barleylands Road, Billericay, has said they will decrease the amount of people who can come to the event dramatically after thousands were stuck in traffic on the A127.

He said: “The whole day went very well but we were not expecting the amount of people to come that did.

“We were ready for 15,000 people who had bought tickets online and around another 20 per cent came on the day, and we had a shortfall of staff because their bus broke down on the way to the event.

“The traffic due to this event, Race For Life and Pretty Muddy made it incredibly difficult for people.”

About 20,000 visited the show.

Kevin Glover, of Great Wakering said that it took three and a half hours to travel the 18-mile distance to the show.

He said: “Motor show events should hang their head in shame.

“I have never been to such a disorganised shambolic car show in 30 years.

“Many people who had booked advance tickets were turned away.”

Race For Life said that there had been a “few mentions” of heavy traffic getting to the event at Gloucester Park, Basildon, however, no serious issues were reported.

Mr Martin said: “We are going to reduce the amount of tickets and not offer tickets on the door. All three of the events can take some of the blame for this, we just need to try and make changes that are going to be right for the capacity of the roads.”