Motorists and bus passengers faced significant travel disruptions during the Farmhouse Family Fun Day event held on July 18 and 19 in Erdington Road, Streetly. The popular family-oriented event — featuring horse shows, supercar displays, funfair rides, food stalls, and a children’s play zone — attracted large crowds but also led to severe traffic congestion and parking headaches.
Visitors parked haphazardly on roundabouts and grass verges, blocking roads and causing chaos for drivers and public transport alike. National Express West Midlands buses were particularly affected, with delays exceeding 90 minutes and routine 20-minute journeys stretching to over two hours.
A passenger on the 937 bus from Birmingham to Walsall recounted the ordeal: “I left Kingstanding at 2:30pm and didn’t get home until 4:06pm. People parked wherever they liked, ignoring police guidance. Despite four officers on site, traffic was a nightmare. The organizers had staff managing parking on the field but not on the nearby roads or roundabouts. They clearly underestimated the impact. Next time, a ticket-only event might control numbers better.”
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The event’s entry and exit processes also drew criticism. Hanna Samirx, who attended the event while pregnant and with young children, described difficult exits from the car park. “It took nearly two hours to leave because there was only one entrance and exit, causing bottlenecks and frustration. My sister-in-law tried to enter for an hour but was turned away, despite plenty of parking space in the field. The security team seemed overwhelmed and uncoordinated. Better traffic control and additional entry and exit points are essential for future events.”
National Express West Midlands confirmed multiple service disruptions due to traffic on Erdington Road, resulting in altered schedules and extensive delays.
Organizers from The Farmhouse Coventry noted that Saturday’s event ran smoothly and that Sunday’s higher attendance led to more congestion. They mentioned an earlier finishing time helped stagger the crowd’s departure but have yet to provide a full response addressing the traffic issues.