Brighton MP praises Albion and the club’s fans
Brighton and Hove Albion and their fans have been praised by Green MP Caroline Lucas.
The Brighton Pavilion MP spoke out after an independent travel survey found that 68 per cent of Albion fans travel to the American Express Community Stadium using sustainable transport.
The figure compares with a Football League average of 28 per cent and 36 per cent in the Premier League, according to the most recent surveys in 2008.
The club is gaining a reputation as one of the most environmentally friendly in the English professional leagues.
Dr Lucas said: “It’s fantastic that the Albion and their fans have achieved so much in terms of sustainable transport and they should feel proud of the role they are playing in helping Brighton and Hove to become the UK’s greenest city.
“The well above average sustainable transport rate shows that, as well as leading the way with its charity work through Albion in the Community, Brighton and Hove Albion is also scoring highly on environmental sustainability.”
A Football Association spokesman, Matt Phillips, said: “Brighton and Hove Albion are leading the way when it comes to sustainable transport and they have developed a sustainable plan which has encouraged well over two thirds of their supporters to travel by a range of sustainable options.
“The plan is a blueprint for any club wishing to adopt an environmentally friendly travel plan.”
The Football League’s head of communications, John Nagle, added: “The Football League congratulates Brighton and Hove Albion and Seagulls fans for their fantastic efforts in leading the way on sustainable transport.
“As one of the top clubs in the League for greener travel, we are proud of the efforts of Brighton’s fans and staff alike.
“The Football League is committed to encouraging all our fans to use sustainable transport methods to get to games. It’s great that Brighton are setting such an excellent example.”
The total of 68 per cent includes those supporters arriving at the stadium by bus, train, coach, bicycle or on foot. It does not include those supporters using the club’s near-site parking or park and ride sites.
Albion chief executive Martin Perry said: “The club has worked hard to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly transport model, starting at Withdean in 1999 and continuing here at the Amex.
“Our fans use a range of sustainable public and private transport methods and they deserve a huge amount of credit for embracing the scheme and a collective ongoing commitment to using sustainable methods.”
The comments followed a joint statement issued by Mr Perry and Brighton and Hove City Council yesterday, welcoming the findings of the independent travel report.
It focused on the transport issues connected with the club’s planning application for extra seating at the Amex and the use of land next to Falmer academy for parking.
The statement said: “Council officers will continue to work together with club officials to ensure that travel arrangements to manage the proposed increase in supporters, minimise the effects on local residents and other journeys while enabling supporters to reach and leave the club quickly and safely.
“With 68 per cent of supporters travelling to the Amex Stadium by sustainable means, the club is confident that if the application for the additional capacity is approved, supporters will continue to travel to the stadium in a sustainable way.”
