Coldean/Moulscoomb parking issues

[somerset]

Perry has said they will tackle it, but in reality what has been the problem areas? I have been parking in Coldean for the last half a dozen games, and have parked ( after my 3 hour drive from Somerset), sensibly and legally on a public road, not blocking anyone.

Can I assume then that people have been taking liberties and therefore spoiling a useful spot for the rest of us.?

 

[Tooting Gull]

What has he said, specifically?

 

[somerset]

On the official site last night, possibility of parking exclusion zones a la Withdean.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

At the end of the day there is nothing anyone can do if you are parking on a public road with no restrictions. I parked there last game and had a 2 mile walk both ways. I did not impact on anyone as most of the house had private driveways, also the local shops and the pubs trade must have gone up by 400% on matchdays as most of the people who walk past those shops probably park in the Coldean area.

 

[Bozza]

Perry has said they will tackle it, but in reality what has been the problem areas? I have been parking in Coldean for the last half a dozen games, and have parked ( after my 3 hour drive from Somerset), sensibly and legally on a public road, not blocking anyone.

Can I assume then that people have been taking liberties and therefore spoiling a useful spot for the rest of us.?

I've only parked there once, for the Palace debacle, also after a long drive from your fair village.

I have no idea if people are parking inconsiderately or not - blocking drives and the like - but it's clear the roads were absolutely swamped with cars. Cars lined most roads on both sides - sometimes bumped onto kerbs or verges and it made traffic difficult as there were very few places where cars could pass each other, and there were plenty of cars crawling around the area to try and find any available spots.

So, whether my drive was blocked or not, if I was a resident and needed to get in and/or out of the area, I don't think I'd be particularly happy.

 

[Bozza]

At the end of the day there is nothing anyone can do if you are parking on a public road with no restrictions.

...other than impose restrictions, of course - 1 hour max on game days for example.

 

[The Original]

Agree. Arrive in plenty of time, park considerately, act appropriately and what is the problem?

Perhaps it's the d!ckheads who like to pull up on the A27/Lewes Road and hold up traffic flow whilst they drop off their passengers that is the real issue.

 

[CHAPPERS]

So, whether my drive was blocked or not, if I was a resident and needed to get in and/or out of the area, I don't think I'd be particularly happy.

Let alone the emergency services.

 

[Bozza]

Agree. Arrive in plenty of time, park considerately, act appropriately and what is the problem?

Perhaps it's the d!ckheads who like to pull up on the A27/Lewes Road and hold up traffic flow whilst they drop off their passengers that is the real issue.

No, it's not. It's you and similar:

Meanwhile Perry also confirmed the club and council would liaise with local residents about the possibility of a matchday controlled parking zone in the Coldean and Moulsecoomb area to dissuade Albion supporters from parking there.

"Our fans can really help us by not parking in Coldean and Moulscoomb and instead using one of the sustainable methods of transport to the club. We must consider all of those local residents and respect their neighbourhoods."

 

[Uncle C]

Over about 10 years I lived in two houses close to the old Goldstone. One was in Amhurst Cres and the other near Hove Park.

On match days the roads were full of supporters looking to park up for the games, it was just a fact of life.

Nowadays people have got too precious about that bit of road outside their house and will look for any opportunity to complain.

Its called a public highway for good reason.

If we're going to get heavy about parking in Coldean then lets start booking the residents that park on pavements and grass verges.

 

[Tooting Gull]

It just seems to me the club have got this all wrong. They have failed to provide enough low-cost parking to meet the demand near the ground (and I don't call £15 low-cost).

Even with full park and rides (which I've done too) there isn't enough, the predicted behaviour models were flawed. They either need to build/obtain more parking spaces neare the ground at low cost, in addition to all the other transport efforts. or negotiate ON BEHALF of Albion fans with the residents, not against them. Give them some free tickets, whatever. They need that overflow at Coldean and Moulsecoomb, whether they realise it or not. Trust me, if that goes, it really will be carnage.

 

[Gritt23]

Can I assume then that people have been taking liberties and therefore spoiling a useful spot for the rest of us.?

Not necessarily. For 1 midweek game, I did get down late afternoon and parked up in Coldean and walked down. I was parked legally and considerably, but still returned to a Mr. Angry letter on my windscreen, presumably from the house I was parked outside of.

I think the residents are used to their road being effectively "residents only", but unfortunately, that isn't the law.

 

[Notters]

Not necessarily. For 1 midweek game, I did get down late afternoon and parked up in Coldean and walked down. I was parked legally and considerably, but still returned to a Mr. Angry letter on my windscreen, presumably from the house I was parked outside of.

I think the residents are used to their road being effectively "residents only", but unfortunately, that isn't the law.

Indeed, I saw a fan who'd been blocked in at Moulsecoomb (presumably by the owners of the adjacent house) after the last match and the police were called. It would help if people spread out a bit rather than having to park as close as possible, i.e. in and around Lucraft Road.

It's going to cause major problems if they do enforce a residents only policy as a lot of people do currently park in Mouslecoomb/Coldean and they need too, unless we want twice the bus and train queues that we have already.

People saying the club should build more car parks are missing the point somewhat. Firstly, as I understand it, you're only ALLOWED to build one space per 10 seats, which we already have. Secondly, where would you put this car park? In the National Park perhaps?

 

[kano]

I have parked in coledean a couple of times without any issues. I am entitled to do this as i have a deal with the council whereby i pay them every 6 months and i can park my car on the public roads in brighton and hove....its called road tax i believe.

I live near the withdean and my road was always rammed on match days and guess what, i didnt shed a single tear over it. Anyone that gets precious about people parking outside their house on a match day can bugger off. As long as you park legally there is no problem.

 

[Gritt23]

It's going to cause major problems if they do enforce a residents only policy as a lot of people do currently park in Mouslecoomb/Coldean and they need too, unless we want twice the bus and train queues that we have already.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think a "residents only" policy like the one we had in Withdean was technically no more than a request, and not a legally enforcable control. Did anyone ever get a ticket if they did park inside the ring of blue signs?

I think the only legally enforcable route is to have a "residents permit holders only" with all the fuss that entails of issuing permits etc. Once introduced that applies all the time, and cannot just be the case on "matchdays". In such a circumstance, the residents will be unhappy as friends and family who come to visit will need a permit, or need to park outside Coldean, even on Saturdays when games are not on.

In short, it will only ever be a "request" in my view, and with the numbers we are talking about attending games these days, that will just not hold up.

 

[Storer 68]

It just seems to me the club have got this all wrong. They have failed to provide enough low-cost parking to meet the demand near the ground (and I don't call £15 low-cost).

Even with full park and rides (which I've done too) there isn't enough, the predicted behaviour models were flawed. They either need to build/obtain more parking spaces neare the ground at low cost, in addition to all the other transport efforts. or negotiate ON BEHALF of Albion fans with the residents, not against them. Give them some free tickets, whatever. They need that overflow at Coldean and Moulsecoomb, whether they realise it or not. Trust me, if that goes, it really will be carnage.

Rubbish. Permission for the stadium was given on the basis of demonstrating a sustainable transport policy without adding to existing congestion in East Brighton.

Why do you need to drive to the ground, rather than utilise the other modes of transport available. I don't drive and I haven't had a problem getting to or from the ground.

 

[Tooting Gull]

Rubbish. Permission for the stadium was given on the basis of demonstrating a sustainable transport policy without adding to existing congestion in East Brighton.

Why do you need to drive to the ground, rather than utilise the other modes of transport available. I don't drive and I haven't had a problem getting to or from the ground.

Classic I'm all right Jack stuff. And they say the people who have to drive sometimes are selfish. What a load of crap. What the f**k do you know about what methods I've tried this season. Idiot.

 

[Notters]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think a "residents only" policy like the one we had in Withdean was technically no more than a request, and not a legally enforcable control. Did anyone ever get a ticket if they did park inside the ring of blue signs?

I think the only legally enforcable route is to have a "residents permit holders only" with all the fuss that entails of issuing permits etc. Once introduced that applies all the time, and cannot just be the case on "matchdays". In such a circumstance, the residents will be unhappy as friends and family who come to visit will need a permit, or need to park outside Coldean, even on Saturdays when games are not on.

In short, it will only ever be a "request" in my view, and with the numbers we are talking about attending games these days, that will just not hold up.

No, don't think this is right, because they already have this "request" in Moulsecoomb. There are loads of places where parking restrictions only apply on match days. Southampton and Brentford to name but two.

 

[Acker79]

I have parked in coledean a couple of times without any issues. I am entitled to do this as i have a deal with the council whereby i pay them every 6 months and i can park my car on the public roads in brighton and hove....its called road tax i believe.

Officially it's actually called vehicle excise duty, and it is a tax on the car itself. People call it road tax out of tradition and an erroneous belief that it goes towards the upkeep of roads (it doesn't, roads are mostly paid for through council tax, I believe).

The car has to be taxed for you to use it on roads and to park on roads, but it doesn't give you a right to park wherever you like.

 

[Storer 68]

No, it's not. It's you and similar:

Meanwhile Perry also confirmed the club and council would liaise with local residents about the possibility of a matchday controlled parking zone in the Coldean and Moulsecoomb area to dissuade Albion supporters from parking there.

"Our fans can really help us by not parking in Coldean and Moulscoomb and instead using one of the sustainable methods of transport to the club. We must consider all of those local residents and respect their neighbourhoods."

Council leader and Albion chief executive joint statement
08 December 2011

Following speculation in the media about development plans for land adjacent to the Amex Stadium at Falmer councillor Bill Randall, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and Martin Perry, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club have issued a joint statement, affirming the ongoing relationship between the council and the club.

"The council and the football club want the Albion to continue to flourish, bring Premiership football to Brighton and Hove, sustain and develop its highly successful community work, to expand the stadium by 8,000 more seats and create even more jobs. We are working together to achieve these goals.

"We have agreed that a travel survey for a 30,000-seater stadium will be produced by independent consultants for the Stadium Transport Management Group and funded by the Albion.

"The terms of reference will be produced jointly by the club and the council.

"As part of that work the consultants will consider the coherent provision of travel options for fans walking or cycling to the ground, using buses or trains and those using their cars.

"Ways of improving bus and car flow and lessening the impact of parking in local areas, particularly in Moulsecoomb and Coldean, will also be considered.

"The Albion has successfully encouraged fans to use public transport, and the fans have responded.

"More than two thirds of them travel to and from the ground by public transport on match days, which is about three times the average for other football league grounds.

"Together we want to build on this success to make it even easier for fans to get to and from the Amex.

"Some work is already in hand. Next week, for instance, the council is talking to the Department of Transport to discuss funding for bus priority measures in the Lewes Road, which could greatly help bus flow on match days.

"The council and the club are also looking at options for the demolition of the old Falmer School building and the provision of temporary accommodation for The Bridge Community Project, which is part of the fabric of East Brighton.

"Together we will also consider the long-term future of the Falmer Retained Land and find a permanent home for The Bridge.

"This is a vital piece of cooperative work for the football club and the city."

Councillor Bill Randall and Martin Perry