The World Famous City Ground - Home of the PROPER WORLD‘S OLDEST LEAGUE CLUB

[Eddie Yates]

The bundle of documents on the planning portal is now nearing the scale of the Complete Works of Shakespeare.

& probably less boring

 

[Mostly Donkey]

Ok so I'm not a local (so yes it's a bit weird that my Saturday afternoon happiness has been tied to Forest since the mid 70s but shit happens and once you've had a go on the Forest crack pipe as a kid you're an addict), and anyway I'm in the area this week working and have decided to skive off and do the stadium tour. Anyone know if I can park at the ground, if so on the shop side or the other one? My skiving needs to be efficient so I don't want to have to jog to get there on foot especially as I'm nursing a strained achilles and am currently the slowest in any herd you can mention.

 

[Ian Moore Gone Little]

Ok so I'm not a local (so yes it's a bit weird that my Saturday afternoon happiness has been tied to Forest since the mid 70s but shit happens and once you've had a go on the Forest crack pipe as a kid you're an addict), and anyway I'm in the area this week working and have decided to skive off and do the stadium tour. Anyone know if I can park at the ground, if so on the shop side or the other one? My skiving needs to be efficient so I don't want to have to jog to get there on foot especially as I'm nursing a strained achilles and am currently the slowest in any herd you can mention.

When I went we were eventually told to park in the main car and we simply told the bloke at the gate that we were there for the tour and he told us where to park. We had originally been told to park in the BC Stand car park and were only redirected once we turned up there as there was some other parking on the BC side (for the Test Match, I think, as our tour was the day after we’d been to a day’s play at Trent Bridge). So you might want to ring and check where they want you to park but you might also want to allow sufficient time for a possible redirection. But yes, you should be able to park somewhere at the ground!

 

[sammy the snake]

Some more safe standing on the way for this season

 

[eesti_red]

The bundle of documents on the planning portal is now nearing the scale of the Complete Works of Shakespeare. Inevitably things are omitted or even left in when they shouldn't be (copy and paste troubles) but these are easily remedied once noted. I will mention a few things that I have wondered about:

1 Use of Holme Pierrepont parking as a P and R site. Buses along Regatta Way, Radcliffe Road, Davies Road, drop off on Radcliffe Road again by Colwick Road, which would be the pick-up point for the return. Only problem will be if there's an event at HP.
2 Trams. The likelihood is that there will eventually be a tram stop outside of the Notts ground on Meadow Lane.
3 Trains. Later trains are needed in all directions (and not just for Forest games). I expect that the EMCCA will get this sorted in due course, along with the support of the multi-agency Transport Working Group, which is a vital and long overdue initiative. Forest have been well behind the curve for years to be blunt, hence the criticism in the most recently published Transport Plan.
4 The issue of lane capacity on TB is not so simple. Buses! Bus priority measures will be needed, and cars will have to be directed away from the approaches to TB at key times. Having said that, the idea of a lane closure each way makes sense because that is effectively what happens now after games, only in an unsafe way.
5 The pinch point at Pavilion Road / Trentside North remains an issue, the pavement is stupidly narrow. Demolition of properties on the north side of Roseberry Ave will provide an easier route onto Radcliffe Road, but that dangerous pinch point will remain until some alterations are made to the road layout.
6 I'm wondering about the club shop. No doubt there is a cunning plan, but what is proposed in the new PT stand will not be anywhere near big enough. Corner of Pavilion and Radcliffe Roads perhaps? Alternatively, that could be a new location for licensed premises that are currently a bit in the way nearer the ground. Surveying work has been done, and no doubt negotiations continue.
7 The EA building has had a lot of work done over the last couple of years. Some of it was perhaps with an eye to the future. If everything happens as planned, it's a very valuable addition to the WFCG footprint and an indicator of the vision and ambition of the club.
8 Finally, the Robbo end. It's not an if, it's a when. The question is, will the visiting fans be moved? I think that should be considered as a desirable. Alternative bus parking at the rugby club perhaps.

Exciting times.

There is hopefully going to be a new club shop exactly where you suggest, where the petrol station used to be. Planning Application for this is due to be submitted within the next fortnight.

 

[Mostly Donkey]

When I went we were eventually told to park in the main car and we simply told the bloke at the gate that we were there for the tour and he told us where to park. We had originally been told to park in the BC Stand car park and were only redirected once we turned up there as there was some other parking on the BC side (for the Test Match, I think, as our tour was the day after we’d been to a day’s play at Trent Bridge). So you might want to ring and check where they want you to park but you might also want to allow sufficient time for a possible redirection. But yes, you should be able to park somewhere at the ground!

Thanks. I will give them a call.

 

[T Francis]

Thanks. I will give them a call.

When I went in June, on a Sunday admittedly, I was told to park in the BC car park and walk round to the club shop meeting point.

 

[Gaz1980]

Some more safe standing on the way for this season

Where?

 

[tricky_tree1982]

When I went in June, on a Sunday admittedly, I was told to park in the BC car park and walk round to the club shop meeting point.

Same! Well more so that security at the main stand cart park said to park at Brian Clough, then left in limbo as to where the tour started! Did manage to walk inside a few stands though when it was empty!

 

[Lady Penelope]

Picking up on a couple of Lady P's points.
Tram stop on Meadow Lane eventuality? Would be good and an asset to the proposed Sporting Quarter, but surely many years away. In the meantime, the Travel Plan suggests encouraging fans to use the Meadows Embankment tram stop, then walk via Victoria Embankment and the suspension bridge, supported by 'wayfinder' sinage. Another tactic to move people away from TB and London Rd.
Bus priority on TB post match? Makes a lot of sense. Seeing buses struggle to progress through restricted traffic lanes does not encourage people to use them.

Yep, a handy tram stop is probably ten years away, at least. The Meadows Embankment stop is not used as much when Forest play as I would expect, so 'encouragement' and wayfinding will undoubtedly help.
The point about buses is that the congestion makes it impossible for them to run to timetable. Bus priority is the way to go (and I drive an Audi) but also, additional capacity will be needed after games, and that is logistically hard to build in.

 

[Gaz1980]

If they had the room, a branch line from the station down Arkwright Walk to Portland Leisure Centre/The Embankment pub would be ideal.

A stop outside The Riverway and gerrit back open.

 

[sammy the snake]

Where?

I know it’s happening and I’ve asked exactly the same question mate.

 

[Gaz1980]

I know it’s happening and I’ve asked exactly the same question mate.

Can only think it'd be A/B Block as folk already stand there.

 

[Lady Penelope]

I have been in Lille, on one of the sadly increasingly rare work trips abroad. The public transport there is impressive and getting to and from the stadium / concert venue is easy, reliable, and cheap.

In an ideal world trams would ultimately run over Trent Bridge, but that is unlikely because any new road bridge will be a distance away from TB. I could make a case for trams on Lady Bay Bridge though, with an alternative crossing for cars and trucks further out towards Colwick / Radcliffe. The good news is that politicians will be able to look at the bigger picture once local government reorganisation has happened ... remember the former leader of Notts County Council saying "yes we need a new bridge but not in my back yard i.e. Radcliffe" (or words to that effect).

I'm sure that the EMCCA will invest in the tram system, there's no point in building what we have unless the system is extended so that it becomes a 'system'. It's all a way in the future though so, despite the howls from some folk in WB, the lane closure solution for TB makes sense to me.

I spent a lot of time on the developments around the new Everton ground. For access and egress it is not perfect yet by a long way, mainly because plans are watered down for cost reasons (and also because plans are plans and once the reality sets in, the flaws in plans are exposed). The point is that whatever is done will displease some people, will disappoint many more, and will be far from optimal. It takes time and patience, as well as money, to get stuff like this done.

Keep the faith.

 

[NottsRef]

There is hopefully going to be a new club shop exactly where you suggest, where the petrol station used to be. Planning Application for this is due to be submitted within the next fortnight.

This is correct. There’s an incredible amount more than that coming soon too.

 

[Flaggers]

I have been in Lille, on one of the sadly increasingly rare work trips abroad. The public transport there is impressive and getting to and from the stadium / concert venue is easy, reliable, and cheap.

In an ideal world trams would ultimately run over Trent Bridge, but that is unlikely because any new road bridge will be a distance away from TB. I could make a case for trams on Lady Bay Bridge though, with an alternative crossing for cars and trucks further out towards Colwick / Radcliffe. The good news is that politicians will be able to look at the bigger picture once local government reorganisation has happened ... remember the former leader of Notts County Council saying "yes we need a new bridge but not in my back yard i.e. Radcliffe" (or words to that effect).

I'm sure that the EMCCA will invest in the tram system, there's no point in building what we have unless the system is extended so that it becomes a 'system'. It's all a way in the future though so, despite the howls from some folk in WB, the lane closure solution for TB makes sense to me.

I spent a lot of time on the developments around the new Everton ground. For access and egress it is not perfect yet by a long way, mainly because plans are watered down for cost reasons (and also because plans are plans and once the reality sets in, the flaws in plans are exposed). The point is that whatever is done will displease some people, will disappoint many more, and will be far from optimal. It takes time and patience, as well as money, to get stuff like this done.

Keep the faith.

In an ideal world trams would have been left dead in the 1800s and a system that doesn't lock up when the tram in front breaks down would have been installed.

All the benefits of a tram are afforded by a trolleybus but with the added benefit of a steering wheel (What's one of them then?) and no colossal fixed hardware infrastructure cost

 

[YellowBelly Red]

In an ideal world trams would have been left dead in the 1800s and a system that doesn't lock up when the tram in front breaks down would have been installed.

All the benefits of a tram are afforded by a trolleybus but with the added benefit of a steering wheel (What's one of them then?) and no colossal fixed hardware infrastructure cost

You don't even need much of the hardware costs.

Battery buses, fitted with a pantograph, that raises to a charging point at each end of the route. 20 minutes of charge and its good to go to the other end of the route.

 

[forzagaribaldi]

Trams can have higher capacity and can be coupled at times of peak demand (e.g. getting fans to a match). They need infrastructure but trolleybuses do too. And trolleybuses will result in higher ongoing maintenance costs due to things like tyre wear and damage to road surfaces. Once the tram is in and running, costs are low. Pretty much immune to bad weather conditions such as snow too. I’d say that the ride quality for passengers is also much better in a tram.
Trams don’t work for every situation but they’re far from a relic that should be consigned to the past!

 

[Templeton]

Yep, a handy tram stop is probably ten years away, at least. The Meadows Embankment stop is not used as much when Forest play as I would expect, so 'encouragement' and wayfinding will undoubtedly help.
The point about buses is that the congestion makes it impossible for them to run to timetable. Bus priority is the way to go (and I drive an Audi) but also, additional capacity will be needed after games, and that is logistically hard to build in.

Bit of an untapped revenue stream for Forest perhaps, acquire hundreds of scooters for fans to use on matchdays going along the embankment from the tram stop to Trent Bridge, the shop could even start selling Forest branded crash helmets

 

[Otis Redding]

All the benefits of a tram are afforded by a trolleybus but with the added benefit of a steering wheel (What's one of them then?) and no colossal fixed hardware infrastructure cost

Jumping-on-and-off of moving (no.43) trolley buses on Arkwright Street was a regular pastime when I was a kid. The faster they were travelling, the greater the challenge.

 

[Flaggers]

Jumping-on-and-off of moving (no.43) trolley buses on Arkwright Street was a regular pastime when I was a kid. The faster they were travelling, the greater the challenge.

I enjoyed the same in London while they still had the RouteMaster buses with the open back platform

 

[The Red Mill]

You don't even need much of the hardware costs.

Battery buses, fitted with a pantograph, that raises to a charging point at each end of the route. 20 minutes of charge and its good to go to the other end of the route.

The current fleet (no pun intended) of 62 electric busses run by NCT last all day on a single charge.
They are all single decks, though, and the chassis are Chinese if anyone is bothered.

 

[Flaggers]

A great bunch of chassises

 

[Lady Penelope]

Trams can have higher capacity and can be coupled at times of peak demand (e.g. getting fans to a match). They need infrastructure but trolleybuses do too. And trolleybuses will result in higher ongoing maintenance costs due to things like tyre wear and damage to road surfaces. Once the tram is in and running, costs are low. Pretty much immune to bad weather conditions such as snow too. I’d say that the ride quality for passengers is also much better in a tram.
Trams don’t work for every situation but they’re far from a relic that should be consigned to the past!

The fact that every city in Europe and further afield is investing in modern trams surely tells you something.

The Nottm system relies on old infrastructure (over head lines for a start), has nowhere near enough passing point (as a result of the cost limits imposed by central government), and imagine if a big problem occurs at the Midland Station stop (which was supposed to have three platforms).

It will be developed, no doubt about that.

 

[All I want is a boat]

It’s not just about pubs, though why you would want to suggest putting established businesses out of business is beyond me. Walking down to the suspension bridge and then up to the station would take about twice as long as heading straight over TB and down Arkwright Street.

As Notcher mentioned, we need solutions that remove the need for those travelling from north of the river to feel like their best option is to drive over into WB to park up. Better trains, prioritising bus movements from town, park and ride or walk options away from the ground.

Prioritising motor cars has got us where we currently are with congestion. Restricting pedestrian, cycle, public transport just makes the entire environment more grim and induces more demand for driving resulting in no benefit.

Fully appreciate the sentiments Forza. Tricky when one has an elderly relative, or travelling longer distances via car. I wouldn’t say cars are prioritised for Forest games these days, remember when the embankment was covered in cars?

I do think more people should travel by boat actually. I’ve found my dream boat at Newark, let us fund this for the greater good!