DRIVERS heading to and from the air show in Ayr at the weekend were left enraged this weekend as they were pinned in busy car parks for hours.

The weekend's festival of flight saw thousands of visitors travel to the area to take in the aerial displays and enjoy the festivities at the Festival Village.

In the run up to the show, South Ayrshire Council warned drivers that delayed road travel times could occur as a result of the event.

Around 10,800 parking spaces were made available for drivers at Ayr Raceourse and Belleisle car parks. Extra disabled spaces were also made available at Blackburn car park.

But car park planning was labelled an "absolute shambles" and "a disgrace" after drivers were left waiting for up to three hours to get out after the show.

One complainer said: "3 hours to get in the car park, 2 hours and just made it out. No brochure, no seperate lane for those pre-booked and a total free for all. Absolute shambles.".

Another added: "Parking was an absolute shambles. We waited 3 and half hours to get out of the racecourse. Literally didn't move for 3 of those hours! No parking attendants or management whatsoever! And we paid £10 for the privilege! SAC you need to get your act together!! Put a real dampener on an otherwise great event!"

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Another said: "The parking and traffic management situation was a disgrace and really put a dampener on the thrill of the airshow. 2 hours to get from the disabled parking at Blackburn car park to the main road! Police officers standing about doing nothing"

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: "We knew The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight was going to be an extremely popular event, but, no one could have predicted just how big it would be.

"Extensive traffic management was in place across Ayr ahead of, during and following Saturday’s event. However we know that some people experienced delays getting to and from the festival.

"We want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy our events and understand it can be frustrating sitting in queuing traffic, however after any large-scale event, traffic can take some time to clear."