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Martin Perrys at Fans Forum



bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
With all the constant snipes and gripes on here about the disabled parking issue I would like to present a few FACTS.

1. Bods and Nads have been trying to resolve this parking issue with the club for many months. In January Lord Bracknell and Tinytears put a proposal was put to Martin Perry to set up a bus that would run from a park and ride site that would enable a wheelchair user and carer to use their own bus service so that on site parking wouldn't be needed. To date he has never replied therefore has IGNORED them.

2. When the club first put in the planning application nothing was in them for diasbled fans at all. This proves that they were an after thought.

3. When my mother purchased her season ticket in January she was told that she would NOT have to pay for parking at the Amex. Then in July the club announce that they will charge £180.00.

4. As my mother has no other way to get to the staduim she has been forced to pay the £180.00. Being in a wheelchair isn't a choice for her. If she didn't use it then she wouldn't be able to go.

5. The club are saying that they are offering more disabled parking in the University car park!! What use is that to a disabled person the other side of the A27?

6. Martin Perry said that NADS had advised the club to charge. What NADS said was that SOME other clubs do charge. That dosen't mean that Brighton have too.

7. Why is is that in April that BODS have an email from Mr Martin Perry that says that the club WON'T be charging for parking and when BODS question it it's said oh we changed our mind. I think you may find that a comment from someone at the club was "Oh well this will work out who really needs a space if they have to pay for it"

8. Some people have said on here that they don't want to hear wingers at the forum and I agree but what other option has been left to them. Martin Perry dosen't answer emails or calls, no-one gets any answers on here it's "wait and see and we will advise shortly". The communication from the club has been poor and all they do is ignore people.

9. Martin Perry says he dosen't like NSC - well I can tell him why - he is reading the truth and dosen't like it.

I would also like Mr Perry, Mr Brown and Sally Townsend to actually look after someone that is in a wheelchair, has mobility issues or is ill - maybe take them on the park and ride or train and see how easy it is.

I have been looking forward to the stadium at Falmer for many years now like the rest of us but the lack of respect and understanding for wheelchair users and people will a need to be close to the stadium for any reason in saddens me. We are meant to be a COMMUNITY STADIUM.
 




severnside gull

Well-known member
May 16, 2007
24,827
By the seaside in West Somerset
welcome back Debs.

the battle lines are clearly drawn and I hope you and all of those fighting for disabled access get as many concessions as possible. I have been writing to the club independantly for some months now without joy so understand your frustration. Not an easy man our Martin, especially when cornered :)

I fear the more that this particular campaign is identified in his mind with the internet whingers in general and NSC specifically the harder it will be to win. If our fears are proven justified and those affected are able to write to the club citing real matchday experiences perhaps we will have more success although unfortunately the risk is that without an umbrella organisation such as BODS who are viewed as being truly independant, a successful outcome will be hard to achieve.
 


bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
We also have a disabled playing side at our club as well. I would have thought that maybe they woudl have had an understanding that they could explain to Martin. Just an idea!
 


1. Bods and Nads have been trying to resolve this parking issue with the club for many months. In January Lord Bracknell and Tinytears put a proposal was put to Martin Perry to set up a bus that would run from a park and ride site that would enable a wheelchair user and carer to use their own bus service so that on site parking wouldn't be needed. To date he has never replied therefore has IGNORED them.
Just to expand on this, a little.

Before putting this particular proposal together, I had a long conversation with the Vice Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Supporters. The "accessible park and ride" option was one of several practical ideas that were put forward. All of them were, to a point, compromises, necessary because it seemed to be impossible to provide enough disabled parking close enough to the Amex stadium to ensure easy access for every supporter with mobility difficulties.

We all have to recognise that there are constraints. But it would be nice if the Club could acknowledge that some action to overcome the constraints that arise from the location of the stadium might be worth pursuing. But nothing was done at the time, other than an assertion by the Club that they would find more disabled parking spaces. 120 spaces were promised. These have now failed to materialise.

I got no response - not even an acknowledgement - to my January message to the Club.

In the past week, following confirmation that there would not be enough disabled parking spaces near to the stadium, I have resubmitted the proposal to the Club. I was encouraged to do this by a Director of the Club. So far ... no acknowledgement has been received.

The new information, revealed at the Fans Forum this evening, that the Club is looking to provide more disabled parking on the Sussex University site, begs the question - already posted by BODS on NSC this evening - how can disabled supporters make the half-mile journey from the parking space to the stadium? An accessible park & ride service might be the answer, surely?

The door is still open, if the Club wants to pursue this. But they need to get in touch.


And, if this just sounds like a load of hot air, I should add - for the benefit of those who don't know - that I manage a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in providing transport for people with disabilities and has a fleet of accessible minibuses, based in Brighton.
 


bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
Just to expand on this, a little.

Before putting this particular proposal together, I had a long conversation with the Vice Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Supporters. The "accessible park and ride" option was one of several practical ideas that were put forward. All of them were, to a point, compromises, necessary because it seemed to be impossible to provide enough disabled parking close enough to the Amex stadium to ensure easy access for every supporter with mobility difficulties.

We all have to recognise that there are constraints. But it would be nice if the Club could acknowledge that some action to overcome the constraints that arise from the location of the stadium might be worth pursuing. But nothing was done at the time, other than an assertion by the Club that they would find more disabled parking spaces. 120 spaces were promised. These have now failed to materialise.

I got no response - not even an acknowledgement - to my January message to the Club.

In the past week, following confirmation that there would not be enough disabled parking spaces near to the stadium, I have resubmitted the proposal to the Club. I was encouraged to do this by a Director of the Club. So far ... no acknowledgement has been received.

The new information, revealed at the Fans Forum this evening, that the Club is looking to provide more disabled parking on the Sussex University site, begs the question - already posted by BODS on NSC this evening - how can disabled supporters make the half-mile journey from the parking space to the stadium? An accessible park & ride service might be the answer, surely?

The door is still open, if the Club wants to pursue this. But they need to get in touch.


And, if this just sounds like a load of hot air, I should add - for the benefit of those who don't know - that I manage an organisation that has a fleet of accessible minibuses, based in Brighton.

With all your conversations with Martin has he ever agreed to meet the disabled fans? I can only see this as a possible way forward.
 












bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
It is essential that BODS are involved in any discussions.

I agree - My Mum has Tina's number - I will get her to try and call her.

If Martin is going to insist that disabled pay even though he has told BODS that they won't have too pay that its free and advised the ticket office the same - let him tell them face to face and explain why its changed
 


pishhead

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
5,248
Everywhere
I agree - My Mum has Tina's number - I will get her to try and call her.

If Martin is going to insist that disabled pay even though he has told BODS that they won't have too pay that its free and advised the ticket office the same - let him tell them face to face and explain why its changed

Wasn't it said that the reason why they were being charged was because if they didn't it would be descrimination against able bodied fans?
 


The Wookiee

Back From The Dead
Nov 10, 2003
15,383
Worthing
Just to expand on this, a little.

Before putting this particular proposal together, I had a long conversation with the Vice Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Supporters. The "accessible park and ride" option was one of several practical ideas that were put forward. All of them were, to a point, compromises, necessary because it seemed to be impossible to provide enough disabled parking close enough to the Amex stadium to ensure easy access for every supporter with mobility difficulties.

We all have to recognise that there are constraints. But it would be nice if the Club could acknowledge that some action to overcome the constraints that arise from the location of the stadium might be worth pursuing. But nothing was done at the time, other than an assertion by the Club that they would find more disabled parking spaces. 120 spaces were promised. These have now failed to materialise.

I got no response - not even an acknowledgement - to my January message to the Club.

In the past week, following confirmation that there would not be enough disabled parking spaces near to the stadium, I have resubmitted the proposal to the Club. I was encouraged to do this by a Director of the Club. So far ... no acknowledgement has been received.

The new information, revealed at the Fans Forum this evening, that the Club is looking to provide more disabled parking on the Sussex University site, begs the question - already posted by BODS on NSC this evening - how can disabled supporters make the half-mile journey from the parking space to the stadium? An accessible park & ride service might be the answer, surely?

The door is still open, if the Club wants to pursue this. But they need to get in touch.


And, if this just sounds like a load of hot air, I should add - for the benefit of those who don't know - that I manage a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in providing transport for people with disabilities and has a fleet of accessible minibuses, based in Brighton.

I don't understand, what is stopping this from happening ? What do the club have to sanction to get this up and running ? Sounds like a great idea, why do the club need to be involved can't it be run independently ?
 




bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
Wasn't it said that the reason why they were being charged was because if they didn't it would be descrimination against able bodied fans?


The bottom line is if the club have said no charge when buying ST and told bods the same in an email from Martin Perry then that is what should happen
 


I don't understand, what is stopping this from happening ? What do the club have to sanction to get this up and running ? Sounds like a great idea, why do the club need to be involved can't it be run independently ?
The main obstacle to be overcome is ensuring that the operation covers its costs (which are not enormous). As a not-for-profit organisation, we don't have the resources to provide the service without recovering the costs. Access to the car park would also need to be available as well.
 


burrish-gull

Active member
Mar 24, 2009
813
My late dad was a disabled season ticket holder at Withdean, I sat with him. I feel qualified to comment and bha fc disabled fans are very close to my heart. I just hope this is all resolved because not only did they endure the" Withdean" experience, they did it with quite possibly the worst view in the football league.

None of these people are not a "special" case just individuals through no choice of their own have difficulties most of us take for granted. I'm sure the club will resolve this but I think they've not given it the thought they should of and now it's become a major issue regretably
 
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The Wookiee

Back From The Dead
Nov 10, 2003
15,383
Worthing
The main obstacle to be overcome is ensuring that the operation covers its costs (which are not enormous). As a not-for-profit organisation, we don't have the resources to provide the service without recovering the costs. Access to the car park would also need to be available as well.

If a disabled park and ride were to be set up, what would the cost be per user ?
 


bhadeb

New member
Jan 11, 2008
1,257
My late dad was a disabled season ticket holder at Withdean, I sat with him. I feel qualified to comment bha fc disabled fans are very close to my heart. I just hope this is all resolved because not only did they endure the" Withdean" experience, they did it with quite possibly the worst view in the football league.

Thank you - very sorry that your Dad never made it to see Falmer
 


Lindfield by the Pond

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2009
1,929
Lindfield (near the pond)
Wasn't it said that the reason why they were being charged was because if they didn't it would be descrimination against able bodied fans?

The point is more one of having been told a ST was 300, and that parking was free, you then buy a ST at 300.

14 days before kick off, having watched your team in the rain for 10 years and knowing, given ST sales, you NEED a ST to watch your team, and that you may still be in the rain (as approximately half of the non 1901 disabled seats are still in the rain), you are then told you need to cough up a further 180, as driving with your carer is your only option of getting to the ground.

Imagine if they said 14 days ago that the P&R was going to cost 180 for those using it? And don't say "I'll use the train", as like many disabled "you don't have that choice"

If you treat people like this, they are going to jump down MP's throat at a Fans Forum. The fact it doesn't involve 22,000 people at the game, doesn't make it any less emotive for the remaining 500. They have voiced this for 5 months with no answers. They have a voice and chose to use it tonight. Hope the club listen. These guys are good people.
 


If a disabled park and ride were to be set up, what would the cost be per user ?
Obviously, NSC isn't the place to negotiate in detail about such matters - and it all depends on how long the journey is from the car park to the destination. To run the service effectively - from the passenger's point of view - you need several vehicles to provide it (or leave people having to wait for too long before a bus shows up to carry them). Using trained staff, who know how to secure a wheelchair and its occupant in a minibus safely, involves pay as well. To the nearest fiver per passenger ... I'd say the costs would be between a fiver and a tenner per passenger, depending on how well the service was used.

And I'm not very keen on bunging that additional cost on to supporters who are already paying a lot more for their season tickets compared with last year, and have a car park bill of over £7 a game to pay as well.
 




The fact it doesn't involve 22,000 people at the game, doesn't make it any less emotive for the remaining 500.
That's a not unreasonable estimate of the number of people in a crowd of 22,000 who would be expected to have a significant mobility problem to make car travel the only option for them.
 




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