A “PERFECT storm” of conditions led to the chaos at the notorious Hampshire JLS concert two weeks ago, council safety bosses have ruled.

Thousands of fans missed the high-profile boy band’s appearance at Matterley Bowl, near Winchester, on June 17 after getting stuck in jams for up to five hours as they tried to enter the venue.

More were stuck in the car park for hours as they tried to get home.

Appalling weather, road accidents on the motorway, extra traffic from the early finish of Test Match cricket at the Rose Bowl and the fact ticketholders all tried to get into the venue in a short period of time, which organisers had not experienced at other similar events, all led to the saga, the review found.

It was carried out by concert organisers Coz We Can Ltd, landowner Peveril Bruce, emergency services, Hampshire County Council roads chiefs and officers from Winchester City Council’s safety advisory group.

Robert Heathcock, high quality environment assistant director, said: “The event organisers co-operated fully with all of the agencies prior to and during the event and the actual event passed off safely.

“However, the traffic management plan did not cope with the problems experienced and changes will have to be made for future events.

“The use of an access gate off the A272 instead of the A31 was chosen because of the young age profile of the audience in order to avoid long walks to the concert area. However, the weather conditions together with the other factors turned what was meant as a helpful measure into a major problem.”

He said the landowner has now appointed a national expert who advises on major events to make sure future plans can cope with different conditions.

“The assessment will also include a detailed look at the suitability of the A272 as a route in future”, he added.