Permanent stadium park and ride agreed for racecourse

Plans have been agreed for land at Brighton Racecourse to offer park and ride facilities on a permanent basis to up to 700 cars for Brighton & Hove Albion FC matches and other outdoor events at the American Express Community Stadium at Falmer.

The land has been used in this way for Albion games on a temporary basis for the last two years.

As per the temporary arrangements eight buses will run the shuttle service. The route the buses use within the racecourse itself is hard-surfaced but most of the parking areas are currently grassed and will remain as such.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee has stipulated that the park and ride should not take place when there is a race event or other large scale event happening at the racecourse.

Making the racecourse park and ride permanent is seen as an important part of managing traffic on match days in a way that is sympathetic to residents as well as fans.

It follows the agreement earlier this year to set up a residents parking scheme for Coldean and Moulsecoomb specifically for match days. Consultation had shown a large majority of residents in both areas in favour of such a plan.

The chair of the council’s planning committee, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, said: “This is a tried and tested solution that will really help fans and residents alike.

“Working closely with the Albion and the racecourse we believe we have a result that will help with the Albion’s successes well into the future.”