Expansion/Academy Rumours.

[severnside gull]

I'm not sure that the additional seating capacity will increase the actual footfall by that much. Given the average "no shows" among STH's I would expect the added 8K seats to result in an actual attendance in the region of 23K unless for exceptionally attractive matches, which is the level that the current transport infrastructure is supposedly designed for.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

That doesn't mean conversations have not happened and agreed in principle. Paperwork is just an obligatory task which has to be completed before anything is announced officially.

You clearly do not work in planning / understand the planning system if you think it is as simple as having a conversation. First of all, it will not be down to one individial but the members of the committee.

 

[The Grockle]

Lord Bassam seems quite adamant they are - look him up on Twitter.

The only Green I've conversed with on the subject expressed concerns at the impact on Coldean et al due to the influx of cars seeking parking spaces. He made it clear he had to represent his constituents, quite rightly, obviously.

Ok, Thanks. I take it I can find Lord B's twitter by searching the above name?

 

[Scampi]

Middlesbrough paid £16m to build the 30,000-capacity Riverside, the venue for Albion's next match.

It cost £5 to fill in the corners to add 5,000 seats. They rarely (if ever?) fill it.

I know things are cheaper up north but a fiver sounds excellent value.

 

[BHseagull]

You clearly do not work in planning / understand the planning system if you think it is as simple as having a conversation. First of all, it will not be down to one individial but the members of the committee.

You are correct. However, I also know that if you have enough conversations with members on the committee you can very easily gauge what the result will be. I was just passing on what I've heard...

 

[Hotchilidog]

For the first time I was stuck in a large queue at Brighton station before the game and despite starting to queue from the station concourse I was able to get a seat on the second train out. Given the large numbers of people in the queue it was superbly managed. After the game left on the 17.55 with no queue for the train. I think the transport links are not that bad at all. The ground does seem to be pretty clear within an hour or so of the end of the match, I see very little reason why the stadium could not cope with an increase in capacity (which as we have seen is unlikely to be fully utilised).

The stadium has been a very positive one for the city and i do not believe the Greens will scupper any expansion.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

It's a lot of money to keep Gus sweet.

I would venture the opinion that the Club not only faces the need to get planning permission. It also needs to ensure that its customers can continue to get to and from games with relative ease. At the moment, things are OK. But if there is no extra public transport or no extra car parking available once the stadium gets bigger, it's not just the extra 8,000 'new' fans who will be inconvenienced; it will be all 30,500 of us. And the situation won't get any better when Bennetts Field ceases to be available in Year 4.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Ok, Thanks. I take it I can find Lord B's twitter by searching the above name?

He doesn't tweet under the name "Lord B".

And neither do I.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Your good authority is wrong, as the planning application hasn't even been submitted yet.

No you're wrong...a clever man knows the answer to a question before he asks it

 

[Driver 8]

It's a lot of money to keep Gus sweet.

I would venture the opinion that the Club not only faces the need to get planning permission. It also needs to ensure that its customers can continue to get to and from games with relative ease. At the moment, things are OK. But if there is no extra public transport or no extra car parking available once the stadium gets bigger, it's not just the extra 8,000 'new' fans who will be inconvenienced; it will be all 30,500 of us. And the situation won't get any better when Bennetts Field ceases to be available in Year 4.

Who owns Bennetts Field? Surely it's their intention to keep this long term as parking? If they can prove it works there can't be too many viable objections.

 

[The Grockle]

It's a lot of money to keep Gus sweet.

I would venture the opinion that the Club not only faces the need to get planning permission. It also needs to ensure that its customers can continue to get to and from games with relative ease. At the moment, things are OK. But if there is no extra public transport or no extra car parking available once the stadium gets bigger, it's not just the extra 8,000 'new' fans who will be inconvenienced; it will be all 30,500 of us. And the situation won't get any better when Bennetts Field ceases to be available in Year 4.

Not sure what you mean with regard to keeping Gus sweet but the other points seem fair.

I get the impression you are very clued up on planning issues and in particular those that affect our stadium, surely the club will be taking measures to ensure the transport infrastructure will cope with an extended capacity?

Perhaps this is me being somewhat shortsighted but in my own experience the travel to and from the ground has worked very well, although I have never tried the P & R. Surely a slight increase in train capacity and more local buses will be enough to cover the increased demand?

 

[Gwylan]

Ok, Thanks. I take it I can find Lord B's twitter by searching the above name?

[MENTION=21687]SteveTheQuip

IAt the moment, things are OK. But if there is no extra public transport or no extra car parking available once the stadium gets bigger, it's not just the extra 8,000 'new' fans who will be inconvenienced; it will be all 30,500 of us.

As I've said before, a lot of the problems will disappear if the passengers per car increases from 2.5 to 3.5. Setting up a car-share website and some more imaginative pricing could work wonders.

 

[BHseagull]

No you're wrong...a clever man knows the answer to a question before he asks it

Spot on.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Perhaps this is me being somewhat shortsighted but in my own experience the travel to and from the ground has worked very well, although I have never tried the P & R. Surely a slight increase in train capacity and more local buses will be enough to cover the increased demand?

Aside from the Leeds game I haven't had any problems getting to and from the Amex by train from or bus from the city centre. Also it has to be noted that the ground is pretty clear within an hour or so of the end of the game which seems to be fairly standard for avenue of this size. I'd imagine that those expecting a raft of new transport measures are in a for a big disappointment, simply because the existing arrangements are not as bad as people make out. If you come by car then you do have to give some extra thought into planning your journey , but public transport from the centre of Brighton is absolutely no problem at all.

FWIW had no problem getting a pie or pint in WSU either, including half time.

 

[The Grockle]

Aside from the Leeds game I haven't had any problems getting to and from the Amex by train from or bus from the city centre. Also it has to be noted that the ground is pretty clear within an hour or so of the end of the game which seems to be fairly standard for avenue of this size. I'd imagine that those expecting a raft of new transport measures are in a for a big disappointment, simply because the existing arrangements are not as bad as people make out. If you come by car then you do have to give some extra thought into planning your journey , but public transport from the centre of Brighton is absolutely no problem at all.

FWIW had no problem getting a pie or pint in WSU either, including half time.

I must admit I have experienced no problems with any aspect of the matchday experience either but appreciate this isn't the case with everyone.

I think the problem is that with Withdean, despite it's many shortcomings the transport ran like a dream. Some people simply aren't used to waiting 30 minutes + to get away and are finding the experience a little painful. IMO people need to adopt a bit more patience, the time it takes to get out of the Amex are no different to many other large sporting venue, anyone who has attended The Emirates, Madjaski and to a lesser extent Wembley will no doubt agree.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

No you're wrong...a clever man knows the answer to a question before he asks it

What the f*** is that meant to mean? I'm not being negative, I'm just saying that clearly the decision hasn''t been made because nobody has seen the transport assessment figures. If the figures show that the junctions near the Stadium will be even more stuffed on matchdays then it is, the application will be unlikely to be approved. Although I am sure the Club's consultants will do their upmost in showing the application in the most positive light that they can.

 

[Albion 4ever]

It's a lot of money to keep Gus sweet.

I would venture the opinion that the Club not only faces the need to get planning permission. It also needs to ensure that its customers can continue to get to and from games with relative ease. At the moment, things are OK. But if there is no extra public transport or no extra car parking available once the stadium gets bigger, it's not just the extra 8,000 'new' fans who will be inconvenienced; it will be all 30,500 of us. And the situation won't get any better when Bennetts Field ceases to be available in Year 4.

Can I ask a stupid question?
Why is Bennetts Field ceasing to be available in Year 4?

 

[The Large One]

Can I ask a stupid question?
Why is Bennetts Field ceasing to be available in Year 4?

I don't know what plan is in the pipeline from Year 4 onwards, but the club only has planning permission to use it for three years.

After that, who knows?

 

[Albion 4ever]

I don't know what plan is in the pipeline from Year 4 onwards, but the club only has planning permission to use it for three years.

After that, who knows?

So I assume the club can just apply for the PP to be renewed? I assume it will just stay as a car park anyway?

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

So I assume the club can just apply for the PP to be renewed? I assume it will just stay as a car park anyway?

Unless I'm mistaken (which is quite possible), the permission was only granted on the basis that the area would return to agricultural use after 3 years. So it might be more difficult than it sounds...