MOTORISTS stuck in queues for the BBC's Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace have branded the event "a complete traffic disaster" on its first day.

And now the queues of this morning are replicating on the roads tonight as event goers are trapped in their cars in a bid to get home.

At about 5.30pm traffic was once again building along the A44, A4095 and the A40.

Disgruntled drivers who queued for several hours to get into the event are now queuing to leave, being stuck for 40 minutes to an hour.

One driver, Alison Rowley, said she had been stuck going to the event, was stuck going home while listening to reports of the building queues.

Oxford Mail:

The traffic levels near Blenheim Palace tonight. Picture: Google

John Hoy, Blenheim Chief Executive, apologised to event goers for the severe delays.

He said: "We are really sorry if anyone has had a difficult journey going here.

"There was always going to be some build up but the support we have got from Thames Valley Police and the Highways team we hope we can improve the situation for tomorrow.

"We are going to improve signage and then the left lane on the A44."

This morning drivers said the approach from Pear Tree, in North Oxford, and from Bladon were particularly bad, but there is also knock-on congestion in the city's major roads. 

It was reported there were delays of nearly an hour on the route, but it is thought to be more than double that now.

  • Are you stuck in traffic on the way to Countryfile Live? Contact reporter Matt Oliver on 01865 425 498.

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Cheltenham man Kevin Mangan told the Oxford Mail his car had only moved a few metres down the A4095 in half an hour. 

The 65-year-old, who was in the car with wife Sabina and their dog, said: "It is a complete traffic disaster.

"We followed the signs for the official route that was flagged up but we still could not believe how bad the delays were.

"On the road near Bladon we must have only moved a few metres in half an hour but we were still four miles from Blenheim.

"We then tried the A40 the gridlock there was just appalling. 

"I know it is the first time they have done the show, but they should have known the traffic would be this bad and put better signage in place and kept people properly updated."

He also criticised BBC Radio Oxford, which is broadcasting live from the event, for not providing more regular updates.

Mr Mangan added: "We tuned in but they were giving no real updates, just jolly presenters interviewing the leading lights of the show with barely any mention of all the people stuck in traffic trying to get there.

"We have turned around and gone home. Frankly, we would have to waste half our day just trying to get to the event and it was not worth it.

Mum-of-two Helen Barlow said she and her two children, Erin and Lily, have brought dad Adrian to the event from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, for his 50th birthday today but had been stuck in traffic for two hours now.

The 46-year-old said: "It is just so frustrating because we've paid £60 for a family day ticket.

"We are all desperate for the loo and hugry as well.

"It feels like we have been a bit short-changed. The organisers must have known how popular it was going to be and they should have anticipated this.

"We are only 2.3 miles away from the event now. But my advice to other travellers would be to not bother."

A spokeswoman for the Countryfile event said this afternoon: "We are aware of this morning's traffic in the Blenheim Palace area. This was due to a huge amount of guests arriving for the event launch this morning as well as other events taking place in the local area.

"We've been delighted with the influx of visitors to this site and we are working closely with the police and local county council to improve this situation for tomorrow and the rest of the weekend."

People on Twitter also complained of being stuck in jams. Luisa Gottardo wrote: "If you haven't bought a ticket, I would genuinely say don't come... We've moved 20 metres in 15 mins."

Kate McRae, who has appeared on Countryfile as well as the BBC's Springwatch, said: "Still stuck in traffic".

D Read said: "#countryfilelive Traffic management terrible. #disappointing".

Lauren Patrice Goodwin wrote on Facebook: "Traffic is an absolute joke been stuck in it all morning".

The situation today has been worsened by rail closures taking place between Oxford and Banbury due to improvement works, as well as Wilderness Festival at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury.

And as revellers head home for the day after the first day of the event, traffic begins to build.

It is the first ever Countryfile Live and has been sparked by the popularity of BBC One's rural magazine series.

More than 500 exhibitors have signed up, withpresenters Matt Baker, John Craven, Adam Henson, Anita Rani, Ellie Harrison and Tom Heap also being in attendance.

Countryfile Live is being staged in association with the National Trust and will include a programme of debates, talks and panels all focused on countryside issues.

Countryfile presenter Matt Baker, who also presents The One Show on BBC One, said: "We're opening up Countryfile to the general public and allowing a hands-on experience for all those who watch and love the programme.

"We hope people will come along and have fun with all the family. It's a full-on live experience."

As well as woodcutting and animal cuddling, car lovers attending the event can take part in a unique off-road driving experience in a Mitsubishi 4x4.

There will also be a tug-of-war competition, morris dancing, a vintage funfair and a fete.

And for those interested in learning a hands-on craft, experts in thatching, hedgelaying, drystone walling and woodworking will be offering the secrets to their trade.

For the foodies, there will be approximately 600 food and drink stalls to browse, not to mention the Great British Ice Cream Parlour, the Cuban sandwich stand, a full English breakfast vendor and the Craven Arms pub garden.

Sunday stalwart Countryfile has become one of the most-watched programmes on television.

Earlier this year it drew its highest overnight rating, with an average of 8.7 million viewers affirming the public's appetite for all things rural.

Visit countryfilelive.com for tickets and information.