All Things Bennetts Field Car Park - including club statement (merged threads)

[public school boy]

Is she wearing any knickers?

 

[Gblocksouthstand]

You do realise that the above image is just a picture and not a factual representation of the kind of lady steward you will get in the bike parks.

Oh well, Bennets Field it is then

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Are there any bars or concourses which over look Bennetts Field?

Maybe they could display expected waiting times, same as they do for the trains? At least people would know what to, er, expect then.

 

[bluebloke]

Bennetts Field Car Park

The Club is very aware of the issues relating to the use of Bennett’s Field car park and in particular, the delays some users are experiencing in leaving the car park at the end of matches at the American Express Community Stadium. The purpose of this note is to re-assure supporters that we are doing everything we can to reduce the delays in leaving this car park however we also need help from you.

Firstly we need to put the issue into context. Based on 1901 Club and season ticket sales we are predicting that the average gate per match at the Amex this season will be in excess of 20,000. And the majority of these supporters will arrive and leave the stadium in a relatively short period of time. This is especially true after an evening game. It is inevitable therefore, that some delay in leaving will occur and this is true of every major stadium in the country.

After each match we are monitoring all our transport modes to make sure people get away as quickly as can reasonably be achieved. It is common at major sporting events for it to take well over an hour for traffic and transport to clear. Our aim is to have all forms of transport free flowing in under an hour from the end of the match. We have achieved this on buses and trains and we are very close to achieving this with car parks and at the last Saturday match we did achieve this target. On Tuesday evening our CCTV evidence shows clearly, that the Bennett’s Field car park was cleared in 1 hour 17 minutes from the end of the game i.e. by 11.36 pm. To get supporters to and from the Amex, the Club provides a wide range of transport options. The park and ride schemes, special buses, coaches, service buses and the trains are all being used very extensively, and as a result a vast number of people are being moved to and from the stadium by public transport. However, the huge success of these modes of transport and the number of people using them, means that the concourses, access roads and the coach and bus interchange itself are extremely busy for a short period of time after the game, and the movement of vehicles through these areas during this period has to be restricted on safety grounds.

For those people who are allocated a parking space, or who wish to purchase a parking space at or near the stadium we currently have two car parks. The Bennett’s Field car park is beside the stadium but shares vehicular access with the bus and coach interchange. The ingress and egress from the University of Sussex car parking does not clash with Village Way or the bus and coach interchange, but is a short walk from the stadium. We allocated the Bennett’s Field car park to the 1901 Club Members because it is closest. Focussing on Bennett’s Field there are a number of factors which make it difficult for everyone to leave immediately.

When we were granted permission for the Bennett’s Field car park, Lewes District Council, not unreasonably, put on a planning condition that requires us to ensure that the release of traffic from the stadium does not block the roundabout and junction onto the A27 thereby causing tailbacks on to this major highway eastbound. The other restriction is that all traffic leaving the stadium via Village Way has to do so through the traffic light junction with the B2123 The Drove.

Because of the volume of pedestrian traffic in the area we have to make sure it is safe before releasing vehicles into the same area. We have reorganised the way in which we manage the bus park to allow vehicles to leave Bennett’s Field immediately following the end of the match. We did this for the first time on Tuesday and we will continue this for the future. At the exit from the bus park, vehicles leaving Bennett’s Field conflict with buses and coaches. We have to give priority to the buses and coaches at this point but will allow cars to filter out with buses where that is possible.

At the traffic lights, the sequencing is set for non-match day traffic and so has longer than necessary phases for The Drove. We have now arranged with Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council to experiment with manual management of the traffic lights. We are hoping this will enable traffic to leave the coach and bus parks quicker.

Pick ups by friends and families in Village Way are also adding to the volume of traffic in the immediate area. We are working with our partners to find potential solutions to that issue.

However In Bennett’s Field car park itself, the problem is exacerbated by examples of bad driving and selfish behaviour by a small minority of people using the car park. Rather than queue, these people insist on cutting through vacant car parking spaces and jumping the queue as near as possible to the exit. This creates a jam, and rather than speeding up the egress slows it down and causes unnecessary further delay for the majority of our supporters who are waiting in line. Sadly some of these drivers are the ones who have been routinely abusing and threatening stewards and police officers. This abuse was so bad on Tuesday evening we withdrew our staff for their own safety which did not help the situation, but we had no choice. Such abuse is totally unacceptable and we will be taking steps to deal with the perpetrators. We are also implementing measures to prevent people from jumping the queue at the exit. However, this will take time to organise and may require some construction works.

We hope you will understand we are doing all we can to make egress on all forms of transport as smooth and speedy as possible, however expectations must be realistic. You can help by being patient and co-operating with the staff to ensure that the exit routes are kept clear and that vehicles can leave in an orderly manner.

To help spread the load we have arranged for the bars in the stadium to remain open after evening matches until 11pm. This will enable those who wish to do so to remain with their guests and ensure a much shorter wait in the car park.

Finally however, we are happy to arrange for any 1901 Club Member who would like to transfer to the University of Sussex car parks from Bennett’s Field to do so and if this is an option you would like to take up you should contact the 1901 Club representatives who will be happy to exchange your car parking passes for you.

Your faithfully

Steve Reeves
Transport Manager

 

[Beach Hut]

Beggars belief that stewards are abused over this, some drivers should perhaps get out more or even consider park and ride or the train.

Finally some sense on this issue so a big thank you to Steve for advising what the actual issues are of which none really mentioned on here other than moaning.

 

[bluebloke]

Yes I thought the same

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Sorry, stopped taking this pile of incoherent gibberish seriously after only the second paragraph:

'Firstly we need to put the issue into context. Based on 1901 Club and season ticket sales we are predicting that the average gate per match at the Amex this season will be in excess of 20,000. And the majority of these supporters will arrive and leave the stadium in a relatively short period of time. This is especially true after an evening game.'

WTF

 

[The Oldman]

Sorry but why start another thread. It's all been covered here:
Bennetts Field - Police, Camera, Action!!

 

[Kylies Stunt Arse]

Sorry, stopped taking this pile of incoherent gibberish seriously after only the second paragraph:

'Firstly we need to put the issue into context. Based on 1901 Club and season ticket sales we are predicting that the average gate per match at the Amex this season will be in excess of 20,000. And the majority of these supporters will arrive and leave the stadium in a relatively short period of time. This is especially true after an evening game.

WTF

Semantics. They don't get too far for a bit but they do leave the stadium. Evening games a lot more people need to get away quicker than they do on Saturday. Simples.

Sorry but why start another thread. It's all been covered here:
Bennetts Field - Police, Camera, Action!!

Because he works for the club and his message could get lost in that thread. Not too tricky to work out!

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I think it's true, THPP. After an evening game, they'll not only want to leave the stadium in a relatively short time, they actually will. What happens next, once they are at the station, or in the car park, or waiting at the bus stop, is an altogether different bucket of fish. And that's the conundrum that the Club is trying to answer.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Because he works for the club and his message could get lost in that thread. Not too tricky to work out!

In which case, I'll repeat the point I made in the other thread ...

"... Finally however, we are happy to arrange for any 1901 Club Member who would like to transfer to the University of Sussex car parks from Bennett’s Field to do so and if this is an option you would like to take up you should contact the 1901 Club representatives who will be happy to exchange your car parking passes for you.

Your faithfully

Steve Reeves
Transport Manager"

... is the answer for anyone parking in Bennetts Field who wants to get away quicker.

 

[Samej]

The Club is very aware of the issues relating to the use of Bennett’s Field car park and in particular, the delays some users are experiencing in leaving the car park at the end of matches at the American Express Community Stadium. The purpose of this note is to re-assure supporters that we are doing everything we can to reduce the delays in leaving this car park however we also need help from you.

Firstly we need to put the issue into context. Based on 1901 Club and season ticket sales we are predicting that the average gate per match at the Amex this season will be in excess of 20,000. And the majority of these supporters will arrive and leave the stadium in a relatively short period of time. This is especially true after an evening game. It is inevitable therefore, that some delay in leaving will occur and this is true of every major stadium in the country.

After each match we are monitoring all our transport modes to make sure people get away as quickly as can reasonably be achieved. It is common at major sporting events for it to take well over an hour for traffic and transport to clear. Our aim is to have all forms of transport free flowing in under an hour from the end of the match. We have achieved this on buses and trains and we are very close to achieving this with car parks and at the last Saturday match we did achieve this target. On Tuesday evening our CCTV evidence shows clearly, that the Bennett’s Field car park was cleared in 1 hour 17 minutes from the end of the game i.e. by 11.36 pm. To get supporters to and from the Amex, the Club provides a wide range of transport options. The park and ride schemes, special buses, coaches, service buses and the trains are all being used very extensively, and as a result a vast number of people are being moved to and from the stadium by public transport. However, the huge success of these modes of transport and the number of people using them, means that the concourses, access roads and the coach and bus interchange itself are extremely busy for a short period of time after the game, and the movement of vehicles through these areas during this period has to be restricted on safety grounds.

For those people who are allocated a parking space, or who wish to purchase a parking space at or near the stadium we currently have two car parks. The Bennett’s Field car park is beside the stadium but shares vehicular access with the bus and coach interchange. The ingress and egress from the University of Sussex car parking does not clash with Village Way or the bus and coach interchange, but is a short walk from the stadium. We allocated the Bennett’s Field car park to the 1901 Club Members because it is closest. Focussing on Bennett’s Field there are a number of factors which make it difficult for everyone to leave immediately.

When we were granted permission for the Bennett’s Field car park, Lewes District Council, not unreasonably, put on a planning condition that requires us to ensure that the release of traffic from the stadium does not block the roundabout and junction onto the A27 thereby causing tailbacks on to this major highway eastbound. The other restriction is that all traffic leaving the stadium via Village Way has to do so through the traffic light junction with the B2123 The Drove.

Because of the volume of pedestrian traffic in the area we have to make sure it is safe before releasing vehicles into the same area. We have reorganised the way in which we manage the bus park to allow vehicles to leave Bennett’s Field immediately following the end of the match. We did this for the first time on Tuesday and we will continue this for the future. At the exit from the bus park, vehicles leaving Bennett’s Field conflict with buses and coaches. We have to give priority to the buses and coaches at this point but will allow cars to filter out with buses where that is possible.

At the traffic lights, the sequencing is set for non-match day traffic and so has longer than necessary phases for The Drove. We have now arranged with Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council to experiment with manual management of the traffic lights. We are hoping this will enable traffic to leave the coach and bus parks quicker.

Pick ups by friends and families in Village Way are also adding to the volume of traffic in the immediate area. We are working with our partners to find potential solutions to that issue.

However In Bennett’s Field car park itself, the problem is exacerbated by examples of bad driving and selfish behaviour by a small minority of people using the car park. Rather than queue, these people insist on cutting through vacant car parking spaces and jumping the queue as near as possible to the exit. This creates a jam, and rather than speeding up the egress slows it down and causes unnecessary further delay for the majority of our supporters who are waiting in line. Sadly some of these drivers are the ones who have been routinely abusing and threatening stewards and police officers. This abuse was so bad on Tuesday evening we withdrew our staff for their own safety which did not help the situation, but we had no choice. Such abuse is totally unacceptable and we will be taking steps to deal with the perpetrators. We are also implementing measures to prevent people from jumping the queue at the exit. However, this will take time to organise and may require some construction works.

We hope you will understand we are doing all we can to make egress on all forms of transport as smooth and speedy as possible, however expectations must be realistic. You can help by being patient and co-operating with the staff to ensure that the exit routes are kept clear and that vehicles can leave in an orderly manner.

To help spread the load we have arranged for the bars in the stadium to remain open after evening matches until 11pm. This will enable those who wish to do so to remain with their guests and ensure a much shorter wait in the car park.

Finally however, we are happy to arrange for any 1901 Club Member who would like to transfer to the University of Sussex car parks from Bennett’s Field to do so and if this is an option you would like to take up you should contact the 1901 Club representatives who will be happy to exchange your car parking passes for you.

Your faithfully

Steve Reeves
Transport Manager

The club has done a great job in organising the exit from the ground after matches, on tuesday i stayed to clap the players off including CMS who is always last, using the train i was home in Seaford by 11.25pm how good is that less than 1 hour Well done to Steve and all that work with him ,one suggestion though would be to take the registration numbers from the members of the 1901 club using the Bennets field car park and add this to there membership details, that way the ignorant idiots that abuse the police and Stewards can be banned from the ground by the club

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Well done to Steve and all that work with him

I used to work with him.

But that was a long time ago.

 

[wehatepalace]

Don't send them all over to the uni car parks, don't want those selfish gits blocking up those car parks !

 

[Samej]

I used to work with him.

But that was a long time ago.

and your point is ?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

and your point is ?

I respect his skills.

 

[Giraffe]

I used to work with him.

But that was a long time ago.

Said like a line from Police Squad/Naked Gun!!!

 

[Seagull on the wing]

There always used to be a sign at the entrance to the Sussex University site that pointed out that Road Traffic Law applied to the roads on the site. I think that is generally true of all private roads that are used by the public.

That's a side issue, though. The point is that motorists need to be able to predict what other drivers are intending to do. Compliance with the Highway Code is one of the ways that this is supported. If I have my hazard warning lights on, it means that my car is stationary.

Very true this Lord B...I was scolded by a stewardess for....going over the speed limit which according to her was 10mph in the stadium...did you see the speed limit signs?

 

[Garage_Doors]

Very true this Lord B...I was scolded by a stewardess for....going over the speed limit which according to her was 10mph in the stadium...did you see the speed limit signs?

There are 10MPH signs very prominently displayed at the entrance of the coach park and down the slip road on the way to Bennetts car park.

 

[shellsuit]

I Hope you feel you got value for money for parking your car there. Enjoy your meal in the club.

p.s you might want to blag a doggy park in case you get peckish in your car, also keep a hot water bottle and a blanket in the boot, its going to be ripe on a January night mate.[/QUOTE]

i cant quite believe some of the comments against 1901 members on here,even saying they have "posh cars".....what is wrong with some of you idiots? i have not seen one post that says 1901 members deserve to be let out straight away or before anyone else,all that us Colditz Car Park users are asking is that we get a fair crack at the whip getting home just like everyone else who use other forms of transport,it doesnt seem unreasonable to let a few cars out at a time rather than get locked in for an hour,before the usual suspects crack into me and say get the train and stop moaning we use BF for the disabled parking and we are not 1901 members.......but that shouldnt matter anyway 1901 are still club supporters and their cash is just as important as anyone else,now if you cant realize that you need to get into the real world and lose the chip on your shoulder about someone who wishes to watch football in a different environment from you