• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Labour call for more fireworks tickets to be released as Boris urges crowds to stay away

December 18, 2014 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

Image: Dawid Lech / Shutterstock
Image: Dawid Lech / Shutterstock
City Hall is warning revellers not to try entering the South Bank or Victoria Embankment on News Year’s Eve unless they’ve already bought a ticket for the capital’s fireworks display.

The event has traditionally been free but in September Mayor Boris Johnson announced entry would only be granted to those who bought a £10 ticket.

Mr Johnson said he took the decision after the Met, Transport for London and London Ambulance service expressed concern about public safety after around 500,000 attempted to watch last year’s display.

All of the 100,000 of the tickets have now been sold and the Mayor’s office says anyone without a ticket will not be allowed into the reserved area and should make alternative plans to see in 2015.

Londoners and visitors are also being warned not to buy tickets from touts and re-sale websites as ID in the name of the original buyer will be needed to gain entry.

Mr Johnson has been criticised for not doing enough to deter the re-salling of tickets which are now available online for hundreds of pounds.

Labour at City Hall have also expressed concern that organisers could be overwhelmed if large numbers of people turn up without a ticket.

Fiona Twycross AM said: “Half a million people attended last year but for 2014 only 100,000 tickets were put on sale. With that amount of unmet demand this event was always going to be a ticket tout’s dream.

“The Mayor should seriously consider whether 100,000 is really the maximum capacity for this event and if not release the additional tickets.”

In response to Ms Tywycross’s comments, a spokesperson for the Mayor said: “We have done everything we can to reduce the possibility of reselling, which affects almost every ticketed major event in the country.

“This includes limiting the number of tickets bought to a maximum of four per person and making it clear that tickets are non-transferable and ID is required matching the lead name on the tickets. We offered refunds up to 3 December.

“We also held back a number of tickets, which were released on a daily basis from 1-15 December to give people more opportunities to apply for tickets.

“There is no legislation in place to halt it completely and it is disappointing that some are attempting to profiteer from the event, resulting in others missing out.”

As in past years, all TfL services will be free between 23:45 on December 31st and 04:30 on New Year’s Day.

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.