Parking around Withdean.

[Shinbreath]

I know that you're not supposed to and there are loads of signs saying residents only, but everyone, blatantly, still does.

What happens if you're caught by a steward. Can they issue a parking fine or will they just tell you to move on?

Anyone had any bad experiences (or good ones) with the parking stewards?

I saw a disabled guy with a blue badge having an argument with one once very near the stadium and the steward was not having any of it?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The parking restrictions are in place because the planning permission that allows the Albion to use Withdean includes a requirement on the Club to restrict matchday parking in the area around the stadium. In other words ... the obligation is one that rests on the shoulders of the football club.

In order to meet this obligation, the club incurs the cost of putting signs up and paying for stewards to persuade supporters not to park within the exclusion zone. The stewards have no powers to fine supporters who ignore the restrictions. The only fine that can be levied is a fine on the club - which is triggered if it can be demonstrated that there are more cars parked within the exclusion zone than the target maximum that has been agreed between the council and the club. From time to time, the council carry out surveys to check the level of parking that is taking place on matchdays.

I believe that disabled parking facilities are available - by prior arrangement with the club - in the stadium car park itself.

 

[PC BHA]

Lord Bracknell, is, as usual, totally correct.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

It will be different at Falmer. On-street parking will be very severely restricted - but not by a "voluntary" exclusion zone. At Falmer, there will be yellow lines (or clearway) restrictions that will expose illegal parkers to fines and towing away. Parking restrictions are already in place in Falmer Village (residents only and time limited bays). These are enforced by East Sussex County Council's parking wardens, who are notorious for being far tougher on illegal parking than their Brighton & Hove counterparts.

If you doubt this, go to the Dripping Pan on a Lewes matchday and watch the ESCC wardens dish out masses of fines to vehicles that are either illegally parked or displaying tickets that are time expired. Be particularly careful not to pay for 2 hours parking at 2.45pm and expect to get away with returning to your car at 4.55pm, a mere 2 hours and 10 minutes later.

 

[Garage_Doors]

The stewards have no legal powers to issue fines, nor actually stop you parking, but if they are determined they can forward details to police officers for action, but never known it since we ahve been at withdean

 

[clippedgull]

The stewards ........ if they are determined they can forward details to police officers for action, but never known it since we ahve been at withdean

No they can't! Or can they? If yes, on what basis?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The stewards have no legal powers to issue fines, nor actually stop you parking, but if they are determined they can forward details to police officers for action, but never known it since we ahve been at withdean

That's a very odd suggestion. What powers do the police have to enforce parking restrictions in Brighton?

 

[tinx]

it's not illegal to park in the exclusion zone so the stewards have no rights to stop you parking there. They are just there to advise you not to despite what most of them actually think

 

[Shinbreath]

I'm guessing that the police may be able to book vehicles which are parked dangerously or have no road tax, but I cant see how they would be interested in a small influx of paperwork detailing which vehicles are parked around withdean by football supporters. Doesn't sound like a criminal offence to me.

I think that supporters, wether travelling by car, train, bus or walking probably realise that they can get away with it but I think what is at stake here is the fact that our club could be financially penalised for this.

Thankfully the club have the arrangement of free travel with the buses and trains as an incentive not to use the car.

Good for the club.... Good for the environment..

 

[clippedgull]

Thankfully the club have the arrangement of free travel with the buses and trains as an incentive not to use the car.

Good for the club.... Good for the environment..

erm, it's not free, we as ticket purchasers have to pay for the 'perk'!

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I'm guessing that the police may be able to book vehicles which are parked dangerously or have no road tax, but I cant see how they would be interested in a small influx of paperwork detailing which vehicles are parked around withdean by football supporters. Doesn't sound like a criminal offence to me.

Parking dangerously and not displaying a tax disc ARE offences that are dealt with by the police. Parking in Valley Drive isn't any sort of offence. Parking on a yellow line in Carden Avenue is an offence that is dealt with by the City Council, not the police.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

erm, it's not free, we as ticket purchasers have to pay for the 'perk'!

And if the Club have to pay a penalty to the council for excessive amounts of matchday parking in the exclusion zone, that is also paid for by supporters in the form of increased ticket prices.

Although I suppose if they wanted to, they could charge the parking penalty to Micky Adams' playing budget.

 

[Shinbreath]

erm, it's not free, we as ticket purchasers have to pay for the 'perk'!

Might that be why the tickets are so expensive...

Just looked on a few other League 1 clubs ticket prices and they range from £17 - £22...

 

[Shinbreath]

And if the Club have to pay a penalty to the council for excessive amounts of matchday parking in the exclusion zone, that is also paid for by supporters in the form of increased ticket prices.

Hmmm. Might not make me feel so bad then, if one day I choose to take the car.. After all, I have, kind of, paid for the parking space.

Jeez... I hope I haven't started a thread that will inspire fans to use the car now, resulting in a large fine for the club. Even if it is paid for through slightly inflated ticket sales. Ooops

 

[clapham_gull]

I believe that disabled parking facilities are available - by prior arrangement with the club - in the stadium car park itself.

From experience parking for the disabled in the stadium is simply a case of turning up a bit early and letting the helpful stewards point you to your place.

The places are limited, but available.

 

[Garage_Doors]

That's a very odd suggestion. What powers do the police have to enforce parking restrictions in Brighton?

In the old days they used to organise the veichles to be towed away,(if parked illigally) but believe the tow away squad is no longer used, unfortunatly.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

There is nothing they can do to stop you parking in areas where there are no parking restrictions just because you are a football fan.

 

[Horsham Gull]

unless you leave your car on mill road too long after the match?think they still tow for that but that is understandable as they would want that road back in use as soon as possible after games finish.

 

[Jamon Jamon]

I don't think they can legally stop you parking there however I agree with not going out of the way to piss the local residents off. I've only ever parked in the exclusion zone once, it was a few years ago against Boston in the JPT it was pissing down and me and Mrs Jamon were sitting in the car waiting for the rain to ease and an orange jacket came marching up the hill towards us, he tapped on the window and asked us if we were going to the match (we had no colours or stickers showing) what match? I replied, while he went on to gave me a lovely story about why he was grilling us a car pulled up in front of us, out got a bloke and a woman who both went to the boot and proceeded to change into Albion shirts, said steward walked passed them while they were doing this and (despite not being able to miss it) walked straight past without a word.



.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Why WASTE money paying some spotty oik to be a steward with absolutely no authority?

Most people know not to park there. If they do and chose to ignore it, the stewards are not going to stop them.

Waste of money employing them.