Teesside Airshow: Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen pledges 'full review' after traffic delays meant some missed event

“A full review and debrief” will take place in due course after traffic delays meant some people missed this weekend’s Teesside Airshow.
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The event, on Saturday, June 11, took place at Teesside International Airport – but some people “had their days spoiled” by delays on the roads.

It’s reported that some motorists queued for hours to get to the event and get parked – with others “giving up completely and going home”.

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Saturday’s airshow was expected to be attended by more than 20,000 people, with displays from the RAF Red Arrows, Tycoon Display Team and The Starlings on the programme.

Elsewhere, there was a motorcycle stunt show, live music and a food village for spectators to visit.

The 2022 Teesside Airshow was the first since 2017. It was initially due to return in 2020, but had to be postponed due to the Covid pandemic.

It’s the region’s only airshow this summer, with the popular Sunderland event being cancelled for the third year running.

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In a statement issued on social media on Sunday, June 12, event organisers Skylive Air said “clearly something went wrong”.

Vehicles in the queue to attend the Teesside Airshow on Saturday, June 11. Picture: Carl Gorse.Vehicles in the queue to attend the Teesside Airshow on Saturday, June 11. Picture: Carl Gorse.
Vehicles in the queue to attend the Teesside Airshow on Saturday, June 11. Picture: Carl Gorse.

Here’s the organisation’s statement in full:

"We apologise to every single person that was affected by the delays getting to yesterday’s airshow,” it said.

"We employed a professional traffic management company, have held numerous meetings over many months with Stockton and Darlington Councils, the Safety Advisory Group and the Police.

"The traffic management plan in place was fully signed off by everyone.

A dazzling display at the Teesside Airshow. Picture: Carl Gorse.A dazzling display at the Teesside Airshow. Picture: Carl Gorse.
A dazzling display at the Teesside Airshow. Picture: Carl Gorse.
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"Clearly something went wrong yesterday and we will fully investigate to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

"We are looking in to how to give refunds to those who didn’t attend the show because of delays.”

‘I can only apologise again’

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also apologised to those caught up in the delays and pledged “a full review and debrief as a matter of urgency”.

The Red Arrows in action! Picture: Carl Gorse.The Red Arrows in action! Picture: Carl Gorse.
The Red Arrows in action! Picture: Carl Gorse.

He also told followers he would “do whatever I can” to secure refunds for those who missed the airshow.

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Mr Houchen said on Twitter at around 6pm on Saturday: “Firstly, let me say I am so sorry to those people who experienced delays and were caught in the traffic on your visit to the airshow.

"As a result of the incredible demand and interest in our airport and the airshow, I know for many it meant hours of delays with some giving up completely and going home.

"I will be speaking to the organisers and the police [...] and we’ll be conducting a full review and debrief as a matter of urgency.

"I will also be liaising with the organisers to do whatever I can to get refunds for those who suffered major delays or who were unable to attend as a result of the delays.

"I can only apologise again.”

‘A victim of its own success’

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In a separate statement on social media, a spokesperson for Teesside International Airport said: "Teesside Airshow has been a victim of its own success and, while it’s been great to see more than 20,000 people wanting to visit the show, it’s a huge shame that many people have had their days spoiled by long queues.

"We are all so sorry that delays and traffic have impacted not just those going to our airshow, but also local people trying to get around.

"We will be speaking to the organisers and conducting a full review and debrief as a matter of urgency early next week.

"The Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen has also confirmed he will be liaising with the organisers to do whatever he can to get refunds for those who suffered major delays or who were unable to attend as a result of the delays.

"At this time, we can only apologise again for any disappointment people rightly feel.”

Many thanks to reader Carl Gorse for taking the pictures attached to this article.