Passengers faced overcrowding last night as London’s transport network groaned under the pressure of thousands of extra fans flocking to Tottenham Hotspur’s stunning new stadium.
Commuters and supporters travelling to and from Seven Sisters Tube station said they were caught up in “shocking” crowds before and after the north London side’s first Premier League game at the new 62,000 capacity ground.
Some claimed there weren’t enough trains to deal with the extra fans flocking to the ground, built next to the club’s former 36,000 capacity White Hart Lane ground.
Maria Godinho, 59, said she was “shocked” by the overcrowding as she travelled home from work in Canary Wharf to Enfield at about 5pm, hours ahead of Spurs’ 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
“There were so many people, it was like being transported like cattle,” she said.
“It was really scary. There were at least four times as many people as normal.
“The new stadium is huge and in the middle of a residential area, so it’s really a mess. Normal people who get the train every day were all shocked.”
TfL workers handed leaflets to passengers at Seven Sisters - the nearest Tube station to the stadium - on Tuesday, warning them to seek alternative routes ahead of last night’s match.
Spurs fan of 40 years Brenda Latchford, 72, who lives in Woodford, hailed the “wonderful” new stadium but said her journey home afterwards had been a “nightmare”.
Other fans vented their frustration on social media as they tried to make their way home via the station, a half hour walk from the ground.
Andrew Leason said: “Absolutely amazing night… but what an absolute clusterf*** trying to get back to the tube. Took 40-50mins just to get into Seven Sisters, majority of that queueing.”
Transport for London said it had worked closely with the club and Haringey Council on crowd management plans to cope with the increase in customers in demand.
Test events were held ahead of the first Premier League game to ensure the plans are “safe and robust”.
A spokesperson added: “To help supporters we will be running an extra two trains per hour from White Hart Lane station in each direction for two hours before and after every match. This will complement the Victoria line that goes to Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale stations, both within walking distance of the stadium.
“We are committed to providing detailed customer information and travel advice to supporters including by using directional signage on event days to help minimise crowding.
