SPORTS FANS IN ROW ON PARKING

25 August 2005

Sports fans attending evening matches at The New Stadium Swansea have been barred from using the giant car park directly across the road, it has now emerged. Drivers trying to use the Landore park and ride site for evening matches when it is empty have been told they can't go in.

The site holds hundreds of cars and is not used at night. It is just yards from the stadium gates. But bosses say it will stay off limits despite its convenience.

Soccer fan Dan Griffiths, who drove from his home in Carmarthen to watch the Wales match against Slovenia a week ago, branded the move daft.

He said today: "It's crazy that you have to go to Swansea Vale or the Recreation Ground at Brynmill to park for evening matches but you can't park across the road.

"I was told I couldn't park at Landore but I could use other park and ride facilities outside town.''

Stadium bosses have been dogged by parking and ticket problems since the stadium opened for its first match on July 23.

They were forced to pull the plug on one of the three park and ride sites - at County Hall - ahead of the international with Slovenia after it was revealed just a handful of people used it.

Sports fans from the Swansea Valley then called foul over new park and ride charges at Swansea Vale.

And while fans using the Recreation Ground are charged £2 for parking and riding by bus, those using Swansea Vale are being asked to pay £5. The council said the costs would balance out if supporters shared cars.

A council spokesman said: "The new stadium has a bespoke travel plan which was developed during the planning stages which provides sufficient facilities to cater for crowds of up to 20,000 at the stadium.

"These facilities include match day park and ride sites at Swansea Vale and the Recreation Ground. There are frequent bus services serving the stadium site, and an attractive and informative travel plan leaflet is available from the stadium, the clubs or the Stadco website at www.swansrad.com

"The Landore park and ride service has been developed to serve the city centre. It is completely independent of the new stadium."