Disabled Parking, were you told it would be free?

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

In principle but how do you feasibly operate this with the sort of congestion that's already occuring at the A27 intersection and Village Way, you're just adding more traffic.
Second point is where does the driver/carer leave the disabled person (wheelchair bound or not) whilst they struggle to get over the congested footbridge (as I believe it was vs Gills), back to the University car park and then up the eastbound slip road via the C/P exit. Maybe not a big problem atm (except for somehwere to sit down) but on a cold, wet February evening when quite possibly anyone in a wheelchair is likely to have been seated at pitch level and therefore in the rain?

A good point. Maybe they will have to wait half hr or so until all the traffic/majority has dispersed.

I would hope that they could wait inside somewhere like reception, that would be horrendous if they had to wait outside some more.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Just out of interest how many of our disabled fans have been given a space in the disabled parking over the A27 who find it unsuitable? Just trying to guage how many are affected (irrespective of the cost)...

After waiting 4 weeks for my correspondence (all emails) to be answered, the only option I was given was to buy a £340 space at the University of Sussex. I don't need a "disabled" parking space and have no problem with the £340, it's all about access to the stadium. The walk from/to the C/P is knackering and took me about 25-30 mins at both the WSU open evening and the Donny game.

 

[tedebear]

After waiting 4 weeks for my correspondence (all emails) to be answered, the only option I was given was to buy a £340 space at the University of Sussex. I don't need a "disabled" parking space and have no problem with the £340, it's all about access to the stadium. The walk from/to the C/P is knackering and took me about 25-30 mins at both the WSU open evening and the Donny game.

It does seem a little unreasonable for disabled parking to be fair, especially for someone such as yourself who shouldn't really be mixing to much with people who may have colds etc - but did you buy your season ticket on the basis that you could park much closer than that?

 

[Storer 68]

In principle but how do you feasibly operate this with the sort of congestion that's already occuring at the A27 intersection and Village Way, you're just adding more traffic.
Second point is where does the driver/carer leave the disabled person (wheelchair bound or not) whilst they struggle to get over the congested footbridge (as I believe it was vs Gills), back to the University car park and then up the eastbound slip road via the C/P exit. Maybe not a big problem atm (except for somehwere to sit down) but on a cold, wet February evening when quite possibly anyone in a wheelchair is likely to have been seated at pitch level and therefore in the rain?

club could have stewards to take fans from the drop off point to their position inside the stadium, or the shop, or a hospitality longe, or a bar, whilst the driver parks the car and gets back to stadium. not a five minute job i realise but the club would know in advance how many disabled fans (either through a notification scheme, or simple ticket sales) would be arriving and so could arrange an appropriate number of helpers/assistants/escorts to help them get into the ground and generally ensure that they are made comfortable and welcome- i mean we are not talking thousands of people here

I would assume that the drop off point would be close to or inside the area containing the coach park on the stadium side with a suitable adustment to the mangemnt of that area - there could be a disabled fan/ wheelchair priority route marked out. I would assume that the only ground entrances that wouldbe totally inaccessible areu those by the steps halfway roundthe west stand


how did the disabled spectators mange their access at withdean when it was wet.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

It does seem a little unreasonable for disabled parking to be fair, especially for someone such as yourself who shouldn't really be mixing to much with people who may have colds etc - but did you buy your season ticket on the basis that you could park much closer than that?

No, the cancer wasn't diagnosed until late April and I bought my ST in January. All I've ever asked the club is what facilities are available to enable me to access the stadium and suggested that the opportunity to buy a "normal" C/P space adjacent it would suffice from my point of view; if I'd not been on chemotherapy I would probably have used the Mill Road (although not now!) or Mithras P&Rs as at Withdean.
I've spent the last 10 days or so in and out of the Royal Surrey in Guildford like a bit of a yo yo as they were concerned that I'd picked up an infection. Turns out I'm OK after all (phew), and my temp's back to normal now. Just gearing up for the trecks over the footbridge tomorrow.

 

[tedebear]

No, the cancer wasn't diagnosed until late April and I bought my ST in January. All I've ever asked the club is what facilities are available to enable me to access the stadium and suggested that the opportunity to buy a "normal" C/P space adjacent it would suffice from my point of view; if I'd not been on chemotherapy I would probably have used the Mill Road (although not now!) or Mithras P&Rs as at Withdean.
I've spent the last 10 days or so in and out of the Royal Surrey in Guildford like a bit of a yo yo as they were concerned that I'd picked up an infection. Turns out I'm OK after all (phew), and my temp's back to normal now. Just gearing up for the trecks over the footbridge tomorrow.

Good news about no infection!! Good stuff!

Sounds like though - that there aren't enough spots close enough to the stadium to meet the demand...therein lays the issue??

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

In principle but how do you feasibly operate this with the sort of congestion that's already occuring at the A27 intersection and Village Way, you're just adding more traffic.
Second point is where does the driver/carer leave the disabled person (wheelchair bound or not) whilst they struggle to get over the congested footbridge (as I believe it was vs Gills), back to the University car park and then up the eastbound slip road via the C/P exit. Maybe not a big problem atm (except for somehwere to sit down) but on a cold, wet February evening when quite possibly anyone in a wheelchair is likely to have been seated at pitch level and therefore in the rain?

I understand the traffic from the ground to the Sussex Uni car park is not very busy before games. I'm not aware of anyone having had major issues getting to the Sussex Uni car park.

The drop-off option would only be suitable for certain groups of supporters in a car e.g. Wheelchair supporter, carer and the driver. But, it's another potential option which will be useful and add to the range of ways in which mobility impaired supporters can access the ground.

 

[Hoops Seagull]

Would it not be possible for a drop off point for the disabled fans on the stadium side, and then the car could then be parked on the university side, and then just operate a pick up and set down routine after the match?

Awaits completely justifiable flaming if this is a stupid idea.

That wouldn't work for me as I am the driver and the wheelchair user!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

That wouldn't work for me as I am the driver and the wheelchair user!

No. But it will work for some.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Good news about no infection!! Good stuff!

Sounds like though - that there aren't enough spots close enough to the stadium to meet the demand...therein lays the issue??

Yep but that is a decision the club has made and for me it's this question of access provision and how this fits under both building regs and the Disability and Equality Act. Whether anyone's charged, either £180/£340, or not for a "disabled" space is not a personal issue; however, if the club is indeed now backtracking on a previous commitment that they would be free that is giving out an appalling message and exceedingly mean imo.
However, access to the stadium for many disabled attendees travelling by car is undoubtably poor; I've no gripe whatsoever with anyone in the 1901 club or its concept but to re-allocate the majority of their spaces from the Univ to Bennetts Field and then be expecting disabled people with various mobility issues to get from these car parks to the stadium under their own steam shows what a disregard the club has for the needs of this group of fans.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

A partial solution to the problem will be given a run tomorrow.

After a lot of discussion and some rather hasty planning work, the Club has agreed that a wheelchair accessible minibus shuttle service will be provided for supporters with disabilities who need to get from the Sussex University car park to the stadium and back again, post match. The service will start tomorrow.

The service will run from Car Park 5 (adjacent to the Sussex University Sportcentre and close to the Gardner Centre) to the Amex Coach Park (close to the lift). It will be available from about 12.30 until 2.30-ish and, post-match, immediately after the game until about 6.15pm. The vehicles will be capable of carrying up to four wheelchair users at a time, together with their carers/pushers. The minibuses will depart from the Gardner Centre Road (immediately opposite the car park entrance) and will run as frequently as can be arranged. There is no charge for the transport to users of the service - just present yourself to the driver of the waiting minibus.

I hope that the service will be well used (but not to the point at which a big queue builds up). This is very much a first stab at trying to arrange a practical solution and I would ask people to be tolerant of any teething problems. It is hoped that a similar service can be provided at every home game.

I am told that Car Park 5 has a number of disabled supporters with car park spaces allocated to them there. I guess that every disabled fan who is intending to use Car Park 5 has, until now, been expecting to have to make their own way across the A27 and the railway and up the slope to the stadium. The minibus shuttle service should make it a slightly easier journey for at least some supporters.

Fingers crossed that the service works well.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

I understand the traffic from the ground to the Sussex Uni car park is not very busy before games. I'm not aware of anyone having had major issues getting to the Sussex Uni car park.

The drop-off option would only be suitable for certain groups of supporters in a car e.g. Wheelchair supporter, carer and the driver. But, it's another potential option which will be useful and add to the range of ways in which mobility impaired supporters can access the ground.

We've had no problem accessing the Univ C/P to date but access is via the Stanmer Park entrance, you can't enter via the A27/Falmer interchange.
Tbh, I think it's after the game where there's going to be problems when you've got cars coming into Village Way to pick up supporters - eg where are they all going to be parked whilst waiting, what's the congestion impact going to be?
I'm not intentionally being negative but this jsut can't go forward on a "trial and error" basis; someone at the club (maybe the the new transport manager they've recruited from Brighton Council) needs to establish the demand and come up with some interim proposals that are viable for the fans. Then, the entire business can be re-addressed sensibly when the extension application is submitted and in time for the start of the 2002/13 season.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Nice one LB.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Has anybody kept any photos of the marches along the seafront that went a very long way towards securing the stadium? Seem to recall the disabled supporters were at the front of the marches. Maybe posting photos on here, there and everywhere will bring it home to the club just how far and how quickly their moral compass appears to have moved, and to re-evaluate their priorities. Not too late to come out of it as the good guys (fingers crossed)

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Has anybody kept any photos of the marches along the seafront that went a very long way towards securing the stadium? Seem to recall the disabled supporters were at the front of the marches. Maybe posting photos on here, there and everywhere will bring it home to the club just how far and how quickly their moral compass appears to have moved, and to re-evaluate their priorities. Not too late to come out of it as the good guys (fingers crossed)

tinytears still has the "haven't got a leg to stand on" banner. It belongs in the museum.

Hopefully.

... although it could still be put to practical use, if required, I guess.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

tinytears still has the "haven't got a leg to stand on" banner. It belongs in the museum.

Hopefully.

... although it could still be put to practical use, if required, I guess.

I'm thinking roz would have a few photos that could maybe be used to press home a point here?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I'm thinking roz would have a few photos that could maybe be used to press home a point here?

Nah.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Nah.

Thank you. Says it all

 

[libra-gully]

I'm staggered that anyone is surprised that the club is quote 'digging its heels in'.

This is the management who think it is a clever business concept to remove the previous £2 voucher given to our young supporters.

Until this Summer, the kids would get their voucher with their birthday card, and within the week most parents were in the club shop to redeem them, and as a result of pester power and wanting to encourage the children, adults would often end up spending £20 minimum and often more.

To me this was clever. 'A sprat to catch a mackeral' as we say in promotion terms.

When I asked about the removal, I was immensely surprised to be told it was found to be too expensive.

Enough said!