Anti-Exiles parking policies

[Avon Royal]

Could we have an update on the actions that STAR plan to take in response to the recent changes to parking policy that directly and disproportionately impact those of us that have to travel furthest to support the team?

In addition to an overview of the specific actions STAR are going to take, could you also give a response to the general tone of the club's communication on the issue - which has basically been various shades of "If you don't like it, just piss off".

[Sutekh]

And also for night games where it is just not possible for people to get to the ground half hour before kick off due to working hours and the utter mess that the A33/M4/M25 sometimes gets into e.g. for the Newcastle game.

Perhaps also it would be helpful to understand why the club has chosen to hit everyone with a sledgehammer rather than looking at different solutions to help the situation e.g. partnering with the owners of the old speedway arena, one way systems around the stadium, access in/out via only one road before a game, actually segregating out the spaces so that those with car park STs actually have their own area and aren't met with the utter chaos of the free for all the club seem to have created.

Have the club also considered the H&S problems that shutting the car parks will cause elsewhere with people being turned away and having to drive round all over the place trying to find somewhere while slowly getting more and more frustrated?

Finally, please establish that if people do turn up late that they will get their money back for that game?

[STAR Liaison]

Could we have an update on the actions that STAR plan to take in response to the recent changes to parking policy that directly and disproportionately impact those of us that have to travel furthest to support the team?

In addition to an overview of the specific actions STAR are going to take, could you also give a response to the general tone of the club's communication on the issue - which has basically been various shades of "If you don't like it, just piss off".

There's a statement on our website about the increase in stadium car park charges.

We also didn't know about the specific proposed new restriction of having to turn up 30 mins before KO and have several supporters get in touch directly to complain about this and ask us to take it up with the club.

We continually raise the profile of long distance, long-standing, car-borne supporters (there's a degree of self interest from STAR Board members on this) with the club but it doesn't seem to cut much ice in the face of various H&S pressures they claim to face.

We will relay these feelings to the club and make the club aware of the experiences that affected supporters have to go through in order to support the club in person.

[Avon Royal]

Thanks for the reply, and I trust that you will continue to hold the club to account on this.

Unfortunately time is a real factor here. Many of us now won't be able to take advantage of the "early-bird" season ticket offer, and will ultimately have to give up our season tickets entirely if this isn't resolved.

Just to be clear, I don't think anybody has a problem with arriving early - it's just the complete cut off time that is the problem. I don't understand why instead of locking the gates at 2.30/7.30, they don't just take a note of the permit number of anyone arriving late - with persistent "offenders" being warned, and ultimately stripped of their permit. That would prevent those that get caught in unforeseen traffic events from suffering wasted journeys.

[Schards#2]

I get the impression that the club aren't interested in any logical argument or sensible alternatives, they want to reduce the number of cars parking at the stadium, presumably, in preparation for building on most of the car park. Sadly, the options for parking elsewhere are greatly limited as several alternatives have closed in recent years

I would consider a park and ride if there was a constant stream of buses to and from and a traffic free route out but there isn't and no suggestion of such a service being improved

[Sutekh]

Apparently there's a rumour going round that somewhere there's a club and local authority that don't penalise people for driving to out of town stadia, specifically built to be near good road links to enable easy access, with extortionate pricing and/or all sorts of parking restrictions

[Nameless]

I get the impression that the club aren't interested in any logical argument or sensible alternatives, they want to reduce the number of cars parking at the stadium, presumably, in preparation for building on most of the car park. Sadly, the options for parking elsewhere are greatly limited as several alternatives have closed in recent years

I would consider a park and ride if there was a constant stream of buses to and from and a traffic free route out but there isn't and no suggestion of such a service being improved

Reports on here previously seemed to speak well of Mereoak in those respects although whether the service has deteriorated I don't know.

The point made elsewhere about the speedway stadium is interesting. In what way is the poster thinking the club could partner with the site beyond what they do now ? Putting anything more on that site is never going to happen as it is a development site and one day will be built on.

It dis seem a shame that after a season where the club seems to have really upped their games in terms of fan friendly actions this one has the potential to really inconvenience a fairly small but longstanding and loyal s cation of our support. It is definitely part of the preparation for the shift that will be needed away from assuming you can roll up and park on site but if you haven't got the alternatives in place simply stopping people parking is going to cause ill feeling and risk,losing fans which we cannot afford to do....

[North Somerset Royal]

Well done Star for making the club see sense on this issue and cancelling the 30 minute proposal.