Residents cheer at answer (From Gazette)
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Residents cheer at answer
11:00am Tuesday 10th March 2009 in
FOOTBALL fans and residents using Colchester United’s Community Stadium are getting along just fine, a survey has found.
When the Weston Homes Community Stadium finally opened its doors last August, Mile End residents were in uproar as fans clogged up their streets on match days, despite the introduction of a free shuttle bus service from near Colchester North Station.
Some claimed fans had sworn at them and even urinated in public, while marshals were quickly put in place to encourage supporters to take other ways to get to the ground.
A survey of residents’ views by Councillor Martin Goss (Lib Dem, Mile End) showed that although improvements can be made, residents are largely happy with the arrangements.
He said the recent derby encounter against Southend United, which attracted a record 8,651 crowd, resulted in only one complaint about cars parking in Howards Croft.
“The general consensus is that people are much more content than they were when the ground first opened,” he said. “Problems seem to be less and people seem to be happier.”
Boxted Road resident Malcolm Nicholson, praised new chief executive Steve Bradshaw for taking a hands-on approach to problems.
“We did have issues in the early part of the season but a lot of these have gone away,” he said.
“We’re happy with the way things have moved along and there’s been quite a lot of improvement.
“But we’re still concerned that if Colchester United have gates of 8,000 to 10,000, then the problems may come back.”
Mr Bradshaw said: “We are really pleased with what the local residents have said. The football club has worked hard since moving in to be a good neighbour.
“Of course, there were teething problems along the way, but we have worked in partnership with the borough council and other local agencies to ensure that we have enhanced the community offer in the area.
“As Colchester United maintains its aspirations to be a Championship club, it will continue to consult with the local community as to any new developments. This will ensure the club’s desire to be a true community partner.”
Comments(41)
gossmartin
says...
1:32pm Tue 10 Mar 09
It shows that teamwork really does work.
thelookout
says...
1:47pm Tue 10 Mar 09
slim_ronnie
says...
2:09pm Tue 10 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
2:30pm Tue 10 Mar 09
It's the police who close the road, without any notification or warning and they do nothing to encourages or marshall pedestrians to walk on the pavement, which after all is where they should walk....and not down the middle of the road!
Of course I agree this is a consequence of a poor planning decision but of course those who made the decision don't care and why? because they do not have to live with the inconvenience!
Boris
says...
2:41pm Tue 10 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
3:02pm Tue 10 Mar 09
I suppose you just apply the "As long as it's not in my back yard", I don't care attitude....sadly so common place these days!
Scoot
says...
3:11pm Tue 10 Mar 09
thelookout
says...
3:34pm Tue 10 Mar 09
gossmartin
says...
5:02pm Tue 10 Mar 09
Hence why we have this situation.
At least the A12 junction should be here in 2011 once it gets signed off.
DelA
says...
5:36pm Tue 10 Mar 09
Even with the new A12 junction, there will still be a lot of traffic wishing to leave via Boxted road!
OR! are the local residents only allowed to use Boxted road!
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
6:03pm Tue 10 Mar 09
The main route for vehicles from the stadium was to be the NAR link road through Severalls. This is yet to be built and it was irresponsible of the planning committee to approve the stadium without having regard for a proper road infrastructure around it.
Also was agreed that Boxted road would be used only for shuttle buses, Taxi's and pedestrians.
However, it was never meant to be closed on match days!
And to answer your question. No, Boxted Road is not just for residents, you will find it has always been a through route from Mile End to Boxted....that is until they decided to close it to all traffic.... but strangely they usually leave it open for the shuttle buses to use which makes a mockery of having the road closed but only for selected motorists.
Boris
says...
10:31pm Tue 10 Mar 09
I'm sure you Mile End people will learn to do the same. There are only about 25 home matches per year so you have only an occasional inconvenience.
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
9:19am Wed 11 Mar 09
You don't have to put up with it you know!....Why not do something about your own area instead of just expecting other to accept road closures without a fight!
The problem is too many people give up far too easily!
slim_ronnie
says...
10:30am Wed 11 Mar 09
The whole setup of the stadium is a nightmare and why they didn't plan the whole thing better is beyond me. I mean, pedestrians have to cross the entrance of the only car park to get to and from the shuttle buses. This means you have lots of cars trying to get out whilst you have thousands of fans crossing the car park entrance. What a bright idea!
Boris
says...
10:48am Wed 11 Mar 09
We did have a battle about it, about 15 years ago, but that was settled and we get along OK.
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
11:18am Wed 11 Mar 09
Moves have been underway to ensure the football club do follow proper procedures and they must apply for a "Planned Event Road Closure Notice" if the road is to be closed.
This should have done months ago but they ignored it.
Because the club failed to react the police (at a senior level) have confirmed the club will have to act now and they will then have to manage the closure with their own trained Stewards.
This requires proper road closure notices and suitable diversions to be made available.
Of course there is a solution that will keep the road open for us all to use and that is to widen the pavement, install pedestrian barriers so pedestrians walk on the pavement and not in the carriageway, and to install street lighting on the unlit section.
We are lobbying the council to do this as a matter of urgency and I know CUSA are also keen because if the road is closed to through traffic and residents it will also be closed to shuttle buses at the same time.
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
11:32am Wed 11 Mar 09
Boris wrote:Ah but Boris it does seem to be a problem for you! Otherwise why did you raise your own parking issues in your street, in the first place?
Say It, to answer your latest point: I should have explained that our parking restrictions only apply at lunch time (to deter all-day parkers). Anyone is free to park mornings, afternoons and overnight. We did have a battle about it, about 15 years ago, but that was settled and we get along OK.
If you are paying for a parking permit and non permit holders are parking then why not try to get the times changed that suit residents!
The point is nobody should have to put up with a situation that is forced upon them, particularly ones where poor and irresponsible planning decisions have resulted in residents being affected.
I'm sure you would agree that those who make these decision would not accept it where they live, so why would anyone else?
The REAL Norm
says...
3:01pm Wed 11 Mar 09
If you don't like it, move.
Your obsession with the Boxted Road closure needs to stop.
I'm sure the long suffering Mrs 'Say It As It Is OK?'(assuming there is one) has had enough of your constant bleating and whining as well.
Stop it now. Get a hobby. Get a life. Even better, get a season ticket...!
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
3:12pm Wed 11 Mar 09
The REAL Norm
says...
3:26pm Wed 11 Mar 09
Your obsession with the Boxted Road closure is worrying. Chuck a few personal insults around instead if you want. Just stop whining.
We know the facts and we understand the point you're making. But repeating it again and again and writing pages of drivel won't change anything.
If you feel that strongly about it, try some direct action. Chain yourself to a shuttle bus. Blockade the road - anything.
Norfolk in Chance
says...
3:38pm Wed 11 Mar 09
The REAL Norm
says...
3:42pm Wed 11 Mar 09
The problem is that the same points are being made again and again by the same people - both here and elsewhere. There is no purpose to it; there is no way forward. The stadium is there; it's not going anywhere else. The road closures are happening. Deal with it or take some direct action to at least progress the situation towards some form of resolution.
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
4:03pm Wed 11 Mar 09
Norm, Residents are doing everything they can and I don't think chaining ourselves to a shuttle bus is very sensible idea.
By insisting the club takes responsibility for the planned closures, which they have to do, and by ensuring the shuttle buses are also stopped from using the road during the closure should help focus a few more people to act to ensure the road kept open.
Perhaps supporters can help by walking along the pavement rather than on the road as many do....just common sense really!
The REAL Norm
says...
4:26pm Wed 11 Mar 09
You seriously believe that the police are going to hold back the shuttle buses when the road closure is in place? I don't think so.
It's Cuckoo Farm, not Cloud Cuckoo Land.
And by the way, if you truly believe that what is happening is against the law, why don't you take legal action against the club or the police or whoever it is your grudge is with?
Now that would be something purposeful you could do.
Free speech applies to everyone. That's why you've been able to bore everyone senseless for months reiterating the same tired argument again and again.
Question is, are you prepared to do something about it? Or do you actually prefer the status quo because the constant whining and arguing the toss on here gives you some sense of purpose in life?
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
5:10pm Wed 11 Mar 09
You obviously didn't go to the match last night because if you had you would have noticed the police did close the road to the buses as well.
And we are doing something very positive in a number of ways.
Also its strange you don't want to support a responsible approach amongst supporters in encouraging them to walk on the pavement rather than on the road!
The REAL Norm
says...
6:07pm Wed 11 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
10:30pm Wed 11 Mar 09
The REAL Norm wrote:After all this time you still don't really grasp what the real issues are about the road closures do you Norm?
I did go. Can't say I actually noticed the road was closed to buses at all. But, if it was, then what are you still moaning about?
Lets not spoil your little world!
Boris
says...
12:56am Thu 12 Mar 09
I often disagree with Norm, but you have succeeded in making me agree with him.
Boudicathepessimist
says...
8:26am Thu 12 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
10:06am Thu 12 Mar 09
Ha, Ha
The REAL Norm
says...
11:48am Thu 12 Mar 09
This obsession - because that's what it has become in your case - is bordering on the psychotic and I can only feel sympathy for the people in your life that have to tolerate your incessant bleating.
Maybe it's what you need: something to obsess over to paper over the cracks elsewhere in your life. I wish you every success with your campaign - whatever it actually is - but just tone down the whining a bit for the sake of all those around you.
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
1:33pm Thu 12 Mar 09
You would make a lovely couple!
The REAL Norm
says...
1:39pm Thu 12 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
2:03pm Thu 12 Mar 09
Take a look at your own posts....see what I mean?
Cynic2009
says...
2:09pm Thu 12 Mar 09
Say it as it is..... I am no expert but presumably the Gazette "sponsoring" the club means the Gazette gives it money because, as a local paper, it has to support its local team. How would this mean it is "in bed with the club". Bearing in mind all the stories it has done about racist problems there etc, it is hardly "in bed" with it.
Boris
says...
9:47pm Thu 12 Mar 09
Norm, I like your psychoanalysis of Say It As It Is. You seem to have touched on a raw nerve there.
DelA
says...
9:38am Fri 13 Mar 09
Boudicathepessimist
says...
10:30am Fri 13 Mar 09
Say It As It Is OK?
says...
12:00pm Fri 13 Mar 09
We will just keep going, despite what people like you say! We will NOT accept the road should be closed just so irresponsible and uncaring supporters can freely walk in the carriageway.
Of course we might not get what we want, for some time, but keeping the pressure on the council and the club to get things moving will work, eventually. It has to because the road closures are costing the club dearly and who pays for this....yes, you've guessed it the supporters.
You might consider it nimbyism, we think it more fighting for our rights of access.
thelookout
says...
5:01pm Fri 13 Mar 09
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Say It As It Is OK? says...
11:30am Tue 10 Mar 09
This denies residents the right of access to their homes.
When is something going to be done about this? and when will the road be left open for everyone to use?
Come on Gazette, this is disgracefull reporting, you are fully aware road closures remain an issue for residents so why are you burying your head in the sand and only reporting what you want to say, rather than what residents have been telling you all along.
Or does this have more to do with The Gazette being in bed with the club because they are a sponsor for Col United?...nudge, nudge, wink, wink!