Trip hazard CCTV pole and kerb on Cricket field road

[turbo5]

I have recently seen 3 people falling quite badly leaving the ground via the cricket field exit to Belvadere Road. There is a CCTV lamppost with a raised kerb on that cricket field road as you pass the TV stations carpark
It’s pitch black on night games. Everyone is shoulder to shoulder so you can’t see your feet and avoid it, people are going to get seriously hurt here.
Anyone leaving in this direction are funnelled into a very narrow channel (due to the fenced off carpark for TV crews and cars ) they could easily improve the situation by removing two rows of cars and widening the funnelling
This is also compounded by people leaving the cricket field and walking against the flow of people to exit towards the JM/JH stands.
How do you go about reporting this or has it already been highlighted to the club

[wilks_bfc]

Agree completely
It also didnt help last night, that there were 2 cars parked along side the concrete fence, further narrowing the walkway alongside the cricket club

[Nah]

I also witnessed someone fall over that CCTV lamp post as I was leaving the game last night. There's a few hazards around the ground, especially at night games and while following the large crowds.

[beddie]

I agree with the the original post. The two cars were a real hazard, especially with them being dark coloured and in poor lighting. I really don’t understand how they were allowed down there in the first place, aren’t there stewards at the entrance from the main road.

[Belial]

It's been like that for years...not that it's an excuse, but it would be helped by much better lighting and reflective/highlighted markings where it is

[Leisure]

The Club is already aware of the tripping hazard but seemingly hasn't seen fit to deal with the issue.

[beddie]

We’ll there’s one thing, if I’m late in future, I’ll just drive down the side of the cricket field entrance and dump the car, at least you get a steward to go and stand by it, plus it’s a short distance to walk from the Longside Lower back to the car.

[bf2k]

The Club is already aware of the tripping hazard but seemingly hasn't seen fit to deal with the issue.

I'm sure they'd move swiftly to rectify if a big fat claim came in.

I do wonder what the stadium safety officer and his team look at at times

[Leisure]

I've made the safety representative on the BFC Supporters Groups aware of the issue again , although I do know that he has previously been in contact with the Club about the issue.

[ClaretTony]

Burnley FC Supporters Groups were assured these problems had been dealt with. Last night, it was worse. It's appalling.

[JohnMac]

I'm sure they'd move swiftly to rectify if a big fat claim came in.

I do wonder what the stadium safety officer and his team look at at times

Very little it appears.

[Bosscat]

I'm sure they'd move swiftly to rectify if a big fat claim came in.

I do wonder what the stadium safety officer and his team look at at times

Thats not yet another position the club is looking to fill

[bobinho]

The Club is already aware of the tripping hazard but seemingly hasn't seen fit to deal with the issue.

Well they need to realise that by knowing about it and not doing anything, should there actually be an issue where someone is seriously injured, they are wide open to prosecution by the HSE.

Id rather they spent a fraction of what would be fine money on sorting it out, leaving some left over for a quality CM.

[Claretincraven]

I help organise a large scale country show. We deal with our local safety advisory group who have us jumping through hoops before allowing it to go ahead. It involves police, fire, ambulance, environmental health, licensing etc. It is administered by the local authority, I would suspect it will be the same in Burnley. If anyone on here works at Burnley Council they should get them involved. I saw the poor guy who tripped last night, blood pouring from his mouth. The crush caused around the narrow area due to the fenced off car parking/tv van area has been an accident waiting to happen and simply shouldn’t be allowed. Last night it was virtually all cars parked in there, not tv vans.
The 2 cars parked in the lane had both been told they weren’t allowed access but ignored the stewards according to one of them who was protecting it. There are plenty of ways of dealing with this, clamps, police etc but I bet they simply got away with it.

[Leisure]

I help organise a large scale country show. We deal with our local safety advisory group who have us jumping through hoops before allowing it to go ahead. It involves police, fire, ambulance, environmental health, licensing etc. It is administered by the local authority, I would suspect it will be the same in Burnley. If anyone on here works at Burnley Council they should get them involved. I saw the poor guy who tripped last night, blood pouring from his mouth. The crush caused around the narrow area due to the fenced off car parking/tv van area has been an accident waiting to happen and simply shouldn’t be allowed. Last night it was virtually all cars parked in there, not tv vans.
The 2 cars parked in the lane had both been told they weren’t allowed access but ignored the stewards according to one of them who was protecting it. There are plenty of ways of dealing with this, clamps, police etc but I bet they simply got away with it.

Unfortunately, as the cars were on private land the Police wouldn't be able to take any action. Not sure who should be staffing the gate from Belverdere Rd? Anyone know just who the 2 cars belonged to? Why was a steward protecting one of the cars?

[daveisaclaret]

We've started going the other way and walking all the way round. I think it's quicker as well as avoiding this.

It's always been crap going up there but the fence seems to jut further and further out every season, it's ridiculous.

[Claretincraven]

Unfortunately, as the cars were on private land the Police wouldn't be able to take any action. Not sure who should be staffing the gate from Belverdere Rd? Anyone know just who the 2 cars belonged to? Why was a steward protecting one of the cars?

There was a steward stood by both cars, perhaps to warn people of an obstruction in a poorly lit area.
Maybe they would be better employed stood by the kerb to warn people of a serious trip hazard.
The congestion in that area isn’t helped by people from the cricket field stand pushing through in the opposite direction to the majority, perhaps to get to the fan zone.

[Loyalclaret]

Don't usually go that way but walked past from the fanzone direction towards the cricket club before the game. Notice a big flood light illuminating that section from the corner of the fanzone/sports centre towards the camera I think. All good when there's no one about, probably when the stadium safety officer assesses - not so good when 100's of people are walking towards the lane.

Left a minute or two before the end, heading back to the club shop the same way. Was surprised my mates said they normally go the long way around, understood when hitting the bottle neck.

[BillyHamilton9]

Using his extensive experience and knowledge, he will continue to be responsible for all operational aspects of the stadium, ensuring the safe and effective operation of Turf Moor and directing the planning and delivery of matchdays.

This was taken from the article when the club announced Doug Metcalfe was to be promoted to Director of Operations last year.
Good to see he's on top of things...

[Swizzlestick]

It's a total joke there at the moment. It seems to get narrower and narrower every week and they'll be a serious issue if they don't sort it out soon.

[Woodleyclaret]

Its not great going around the Jimmy Mac stand to get out
Often there are obstructions as fans come up to go on the path by the memorial and often stewards at the end on Harry Potts Way blocking off parts of the path.

[bfcjg]

The only thing they understand is money, a HSE inspector once said to me if you think rectifying a problem is expensive just wait until you get a claim in. Very true, client ignored the advice or rather put it on the back burner when an accident claim came in they were £15k down on the deal with increased premiums etc.

[clitheroeclaret3]

Not related but witnessed a horrible incident round the back of Turf after the game. A guy just in front of me tripped on flagstones in poor condition, went down face first made a terrible mess of mouth, nose and head. Asked him how old he was, 85.

Helped him back to his car with his son, bleeding badly, just hope he`s ok? (:

[Claretincraven]

I have reported this to Event Safety at Burnley Council.
They have emailed me to tell me they have forwarded it to Doug Metcalfe at the Club.
I await a response from him.

[BillyHamilton9]

"I have reported this to Event Safety at Burnley Council.
They have emailed me to tell me they have forwarded it to Doug Metcalfe at the Club.
I await a response from him"

Good luck.

[ClaretTony]

It's all previously been reported to the club and the safety advisory group. Quite clearly those people at the club responsible don't view the safety of spectators seriously at all. What's being allowed to happen is a total insult to those of us who attend games.

Still, we've got the hugely impressive light show.


And seriously, Burnley FC Supporters Groups have a representative on the Safety Advisory Group - if you have any issues, concerns, please email burnleyfcsg at gmail dot com and they will be passed on to the rep. If you have any photographs to back up the concerns then please send those in too. These situations simply have to be resolved before we have a really serious situation.

[wilks_bfc]

It's all previously been reported to the club and the safety advisory group. Quite clearly those people at the club responsible don't view the safety of spectators seriously at all. What's being allowed to happen is a total insult to those of us who attend games.

Still, we've got the hugely impressive light show.


And seriously, Burnley FC Supporters Groups have a representative on the Safety Advisory Group - if you have any issues, concerns, please email burnleyfcsg at gmail dot com and they will be passed on to the rep. If you have any photographs to back up the concerns then please send those in too. These situations simply have to be resolved before we have a really serious situation.

From the fan survey, that’ll please 34% of the fans

[turbo5]

Not related but witnessed a horrible incident round the back of Turf after the game. A guy just in front of me tripped on flagstones in poor condition, went down face first made a terrible mess of mouth, nose and head. Asked him how old he was, 85.

Helped him back to his car with his son, bleeding badly, just hope he`s ok? (:

This might have been the incident , the guy who tripped looked old and it was the kerb stone around the CCTV camera against the wall. I tripped on it on a Saturday game in daylight , when everybody is shoulder to shoulder you can't see your feet and trip hazards. Then the next home game I noticed a youngish guy go for a tumble. The old guy who went down on Tuesday properly face planted I don't think he managed to raise his hands to stop his fall. Somebody must know him. I am sure he must have received medical treatment.

[ClaretTony]

People getting injured at opposite corners of the ground and not even a word publicly from the club.

[Burnleyareback2]

Have I missed the light show?

[Foreverly Claret]

I know from personal experience that BFC do not give a **** about some of the appalling conditions which prevail when we are leaving the ground .Particularly after night matches .I am amazed that HSE haven't been involved but having said that they may well be for all I know .Some of the situations described on here are horrendous but BFC will deny liability..it's your fault for being a fan but in their eyes you are just a source of income .Can't say more at the moment but will in the future .My advice to all is to be extremely careful when leaving the ground because if anything happens it will be your own fault.

[RMutt]

Just to add. There is also a step on the path alongside the sports hall that is difficult to see in the dark at night matches. My dad fell down it the other week. It does have a painted white edge but the path is behind cars and an obvious route if you’re negotiating your way around the back of the queues. It might not be so much of an issue now the queues are shorter but perhaps the representative on the fan liaison group could also mention this. Thanks.

[BillyHamilton9]

My advice after experiencing how the management at Bfc work is to go directly to Alan Pace otherwise nothing will be done. Its called arrogance and the Senior Management team smacks of it. The supporters and issues like these are an inconvenience to them. Hopefully in time the chairman will realise this for himself.

[Loyalclaret]

4 stewards stood around it when I left the game today

[wilks_bfc]

Also painted the curb yellow

[Culmclaret]

Just can’t see how the SAG can allow this. It is the way back towards the town for people leaving the biggest stand. Absolutely mental but I expect nothing more from this clueless regime.

[chorleyhere]

Arrived a bit earlier on the ground today and heard the steward , at the top of the pedestrian walk-way down past the cricket field clubhouse, shout, "Mind your backs!" as a black mini bus was driving down to the Club coach park area. When my son and myself were going round the corner towards the entrances into the Cricket Field Stand, the van without any warning beeps, started reversing backwards and bumped into me, fortunately braked as a steward towards the front of the mini-bus shouted out a warning to the driver. She said, "Sorry about that sir" - and then added, "They shouldn't be letting vehicles move out down here".
Could have been more serious if it had caught me off balance. Some of the stewards need more training and there should be a stricter policy on vehicles coming from the Brunshaw Rd when the spectators are already walking down in good numbers.

[ClaretTony]

Just can’t see how the SAG can allow this. It is the way back towards the town for people leaving the biggest stand. Absolutely mental but I expect nothing more from this clueless regime.

It’s far, far worse this season than it was previously and when you finally negotiate your way onto Belvedere Road you have to deal with moving traffic again coming towards you.

A lot of work was done between the club and the Supporter Liaison Group to make things safer when leaving. All seems to have gone now.