Transport bosses called on Oasis Edinburgh gigs to finish earlier 'to save putting on extra trains'

Daily Record

2 days ago

Concert bosses dismissed the request amid fears Liam and Noel Gallagher would re-think their Scottish shows
It is less than a week until Oasis begin their run of three nights at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium as part of their hotly-anticipated reunion tour. But it seems it is transport and timings that are dominating officials' conversations.
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Transport bosses asked for Oasis' shows in the capital to wrap up earlier than scheduled to avoid putting on extra trains, according to the Sun.
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Officials reportedly asked the show curfew to be brought forward from 10:45pm amid fears of "disorder" after the music spectacle.
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Gig promoters DF Concerts and Murrayfield Stadium chiefs allegedly dismissed the request as "any changes could/would likely impact on an artists' willingness to perform."
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher are set to electrify the Scottish rugby stronghold for three nights on Friday, August 8, Saturday, August 9, and Tuesday, August 12.
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Last year, a transport summit was called after the gigs were announced.
Documents obtained by the Sun via Freedom of Information laws show how Transport Scotland's events resilience team asked for the earlier curfew in a bid to avoid the need to lay on more late-night train services.
An official wrote: "I asked if there was any consideration or scope in bringing end times forward slightly to minimise the necessity on enhanced/extended public transport.
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"This was met with a somewhat vociferous response by DF Concerts and to a degree SR Murrayfield."
In response to the reports, Transport Scotland blasted critics, telling the Record they would be "the first to complain" if transport bosses didn't "challenge travel plans and understand potential impacts on the wider network".
A spokesperson said: "Scotland has a good track record of supporting major events like the Cycling World Championships, COP 26, and many other sporting events, festivals and concerts.
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"ScotRail is putting on extra services and seats during the Edinburgh Festival and for these concerts, including late-night trains to key destinations.
"The main reason Scotland has such a successful reputation for delivering these global events is due to close working between Police Scotland, Councils and transport operators, as well as event organisers.
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"It is our role to challenge travel plans and understand potential impacts on the wider network to allow for business as usual, as well as encourage extra services to be laid on, our critics would be the first to complain if we didn't."
DF Concerts and Murrayfield have been contacted for comment.
Official stage times for Edinburgh have yet to be published, but organisers expect gates will open at 5pm on each show day, with the curfew expected to be 10.45pm, to accommodate the 67,000 fans descending each night.
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However, it is worth noting that London's Wembley Stadium's curfew changed between the Oasis concert landing on a weekday and a weekend.
On the Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, the curfew was 10.45pm, but it changed to 10.30pm for the shows on Wednesday, July 30, and tonight's gig, Sunday, August 3.
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On Friday, August 1, City of Edinburgh Council leader Cllr Jane Meagher confirmed additional transport services would be available via tram, rail, and bus routes.
Nonetheless, she cautioned gig-goers to conduct themselves appropriately and advised those without tickets to steer clear.
"Whilst we relish hosting the biggest and best events and want everyone attending to truly enjoy themselves, it's important that we remember our residents," Cllr Meagher said.
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"We ask that visitors are considerate and respectful of them whilst enjoying our fantastic capital city. We're urging people to only travel to Murrayfield and the surrounding area if you have a ticket."
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ScotRail will provide extra trains and carriages during August as part of its Edinburgh Festivals uplift. More services are also planned for the Oasis concerts, with Murrayfield conveniently located a brief walk from Haymarket station.
The council's caution was issued the same day Police Scotland launched its operation to safeguard revellers in August. There will be a heightened police presence in the city centre throughout the month.
Extra officers from across Scotland, as well as national and specialist units, have been called in.