Crawley Borough Council

Report to Overview and Scrutiny Commission 1 December 2014 BB

Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel Implementation Update Report

Report of the Head of Partnership Services , DC&PS/005

1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of the report is to provide members of the Commission with an update on progress against the recommendations made by the Crawley Town FC (CTFC) Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel in March 2013.

2. Recommendations

2.1 To the Overview and Scrutiny Commission:

That the Commission note the report and the update from the Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel together with the Broadfield Stadium Travel Plan Steering Group.

3. Reasons for the Recommendations

3.1 The Overview and Scrutiny Commission has a role in reviewing and scrutinising the implementation of completed scrutiny reviews.

4. Background

4.1 The Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel submitted its final report to the Commission in March 2013.

4.2 Following Crawley Town FC’s promotion to the Football League and the installation of the East Stand a local planning condition stated the need for Crawley Town to form a Travel Partnership Group to consider travel arrangements to match days.

4.3 The club has a duty to help resolve issues which affect residents as part of its commitment to community engagement and the Broadfield Stadium Travel Partnership Group continues to meet bi-annually. This Group ensures a continued discussion and co-ordinated approach between partners.

5. Update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel

Recommendation 6.1 (Transport) 5.1 Public transport has been improved, in particular increasing the bus service for home fixtures.

5.2 Following meetings between Metrobus and Crawley Town FC, it was evident that there was a sufficient bus service to cater for home fixtures. Further publicity has been provided regarding the bus services. This relates to recommendation 6.4.

Recommendation 6.2 (Transport) 5.3 There was a recommendation for Metrobus to consider discounted travel for match days.

5.4 Following meetings between Metrobus and Crawley Town FC, PlusBus discounted rail/bus travel has been advertised by the club.

Recommendation 6.3 (Parking) 5.5 Following a review of match days it was evident that there are sufficient car parking spaces available on match days. There is capacity identified in overspill car parks (William Reed Business Park, Tilgate Business Park and car parking adjacent to William Reed). This is in addition to the extensive car parking in and around Southgate.

Recommendation 6.4 (Signage) 5.6 Metrobus is currently in the process of having signs displayed at Crawley Rail station directing fans to buses for the stadium.

Recommendation 6.5 (Communications) 5.7 A number of initiatives have been introduced to publicise the issues associated with inconsiderate and/or dangerous parking. These have included: • Tannoy announcements and ‘screen flash’ messages at home matches. • Improved CTFC website information on parking, walking distances from car parks, alternative travel information and promotion. • Information on the above circulated with programmes and season tickets. The increased publicity and marketing has improved the parking in and around the stadium.

Recommendation 6.6 (Match day residents’ parking scheme) 5.8 The Cabinet recommended the removed reference to Crawley Borough Council funding for a ‘Match Day residents’ parking scheme’ as it was not the appropriate partner to be funding such a scheme. The proposal was to be passed over to WSCC Highways for their consideration on behalf of the Panel.

Recommendation 6.7 (Yellow Lines) 5.9 Cabinet recommended the introduction of double yellow lines to Downland Drive and Brighton Road to West Sussex County Council to take forward. No progress has taken place to date. However, double yellow lines have been placed along the A23 lay-by adjacent to the stadium and in addition a ‘tow zone’ is in place along the A23 south-bound.

6. Background Papers Final Report of the Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership Scrutiny Panel Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission 18 March 2013 Minutes of the Cabinet 20 March 2013 Minutes of the Full Council 3 April 2013

Contact Officer - Paul Baker, Senior Leisure Officer, 01293 438659