Access for home fans

[KlyBfc]

It's if these routes are going to have obstructions between them though isn't it. A locked gate for example would prove a problem. I presume there must be a method to prevent us using it.

Could they possibly just extend the fenced parking/ media team / coach area the whole way across now to block it completely, rather than how we used to go / shuffle round it??

[BleedingClaret]

Not sure why everyone is ignoring the fact that people who would normally come from cricket club or fire station end DONT need to walk all the way round the ground. Just walk through the houses and brings you out at the Jimmy Mac stand.

Suppose it doesn't fit the narrative tho

So all the people that walk down Ormerod yard before the game can fit through that little turn by the memorial garden at the back of the beehole
And exit it safely afterwards

[claretonthecoast1882]

What is to stop Burnley fans just mixing in with away fans and walking down Ormerod Yard to the Longside ?

If the stewards are the same standard as last season I can't recall seeing one who would personally stop anyone. If away fans leave cricket club at 2.45pm on Saturday are they going to stop everyone and ask them to get their phone out and show their ticket ?

[Boss Hogg]

This narrow exit was a big problem before this change. This has made it it a whole load worse. Very ill thought out.I can see someone getting crushed here.

[BleedingClaret]

What is to stop Burnley fans just mixing in with away fans and walking down Ormerod Yard to the Longside ?

If the stewards are the same standard as last season I can't recall seeing one who would personally stop anyone. If away fans leave cricket club at 2.45pm on Saturday are they going to stop everyone and ask them to get their phone out and show their ticket ?

I expect from there that you could get to what now are the away turnstiles but not to the back of the Longside as they’ll likely take the fence off TV vehicle area all the way across at the back of the sports barn

[Alan Young]

What is to stop Burnley fans just mixing in with away fans and walking down Ormerod Yard to the Longside ?

If the stewards are the same standard as last season I can't recall seeing one who would personally stop anyone. If away fans leave cricket club at 2.45pm on Saturday are they going to stop everyone and ask them to get their phone out and show their ticket ?

As someone has suggested above, you probably won’t be able to go any further than the away turnstiles. They’ll block it off.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I expect from there that you could get to what now are the away turnstiles but not to the back of the Longside as they’ll likely take the fence off TV vehicle area all the way across at the back of the sports barn

Possibly, although doing that and leaving only 1 emergency exit would be a struggle to get permission

[jdrobbo]

The previous boards are just as complicit. It’s over 20 years now since I moved from the Longside upper across to the Bob Lord. The simple reason, the bottle neck on the club shop corner. It’s not new, it’s never been improved. Also is that stupid kerb still running the length of the car park behind the Longside? I did my ankle on that, and I’ve seen many go flying when stumbling down it because in a crowd and especially night games. Very hard to see.
With the stupid closing of Ormerod yard, 100% of fans from both Longside & Jimmy Mac need to exit via that narrow gate. Up until now, I would’ve said about 40% would go via ormerod.
The other thing is with a mass of people now all heading up HPW. The traffic lights will need to be off longer. Everyone going one way, whereas before those leaving via ormerod would disperse several ways. Into the cricket club, right up Belvedere rd, across and into the side streets.
Just thinking about it, it’s just so stupidly inconvenient.
Those in the Longside blocks 1,2 & 3. Even if they leave with a couple of minutes to go. At some point the final whistle goes, they’re still going to be at the back of the queue to exit. From their seats to the cricket club will now be best part of an hour. It use to be 10 minutes. Well done Mr Pace on enhancing the fan experience at Turf Moor!!

Rammy, THAT kerb has seen so many trips and falls. It really needs moving.

[BleedingClaret]

Possibly, although doing that and leaving only 1 emergency exit would be a struggle to get permission

I’m not thinking that they’re into consultation or abiding by rules

[BleedingClaret]

Rammy, THAT kerb has seen so many trips and falls. It really needs moving.

That kerb is ridiculous, claims a few victims every night game

[wilks_bfc]

That kerb is ridiculous, claims a few victims every night game

As does the one on jutting out on Ormerod Yard - although I guess that is now a concern for the away supporters, so every cloud and all that

[JohnDearyMe]

I fear a tragedy this season, i.e. a preventable death.

The thing with those is they never seem likely but the law of averages means unforeseen things happen periodically. If 14,000 people containing many frail elderly are exiting at the same time 19 times that is only 1 in 250,000 people for whom something tragic has to happen. Trust me, it will.

Which is of course the importance of the safety officer, the wider officials, the consultation etc.

For me, it is less dramatic. On the way in I will cease my 1 pint in the New Brew’m and 1 pint in the fanzone with a Haffners. Instead I’ll stay in town and walk in directly. On the way out it will make my journey home much longer (I get back at 7:30pm) so I shall have to drag the family out bang on the whistle if not before. Freed from Desire shall become Freed from The Turf.

But the main thing is, why? And the equally important question, if the brain-powers cook up this kind of farce, what confidence do we have that they make correct judgements on coaching or playing staff? Put it this way, I have less confidence in the season now than I did before. But hey, those away fans now directly behind the goal will make a real racket, and it’ll be a great day out, right?

Could you not just set off 5 minutes earlier if you still want to get your 2 pre-match pints in?

[Andreshotboots]

I also find it shocking how this has been done, and seemingly with very little consultation.

However, playing devil's advocate, don't forget there will be no longer home fans exiting out of the cricket field stand at the far side, and it certainly was the case that not all those fans headed up Ormerod yard, a hell of a lot used to turn right behind the JH and head off that way so those numbers will be taken out of the equation.

It has also been mentioned that there is a route through the houses, admittedly a little further of a walk, but you certainly don't need to go all the way around the ground adding to the pinch points to get to your desired location.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see, at this moment all the problems we're all mentioning are purely hypothetical and until we've had a couple of home games and seen how things develop, we won't truly know.

I'm pretty sure the club, in an age where people sueue for the drop of a hat, have done the due diligence on crowd safety, emergency access etc, guess we'll have a clearer idea by about 6PM on Saturday.

[dougcollins]

I see everyone's point on this issue .
My take on it is see what happens on Saturday as the problem point is the corner of the club shop .
Now most will turn right and head to town it's when fans are going the other way when you have a problem kind of going against the tide .
The police may get involved with stopping people to let say 1000 out then let 5000 while holding back the others , kind of best wait and see . Think of huge clubs in London where I have seen this happen with 60,000 people .One thing for sure most are going to take more time to get home from now on .
Good Luck All .

And the biggest point being it didn't need to be done.

[dougcollins]

So all the people that walk down Ormerod yard before the game can fit through that little turn by the memorial garden at the back of the beehole
And exit it safely afterwards

Yep, that would be fun afterwards, it's about two yards wide.

[Rick_Muller]

If the thought process involved “hey, let’s make fans go past the fan zone so they buy more of our beer and pies” they’ve probably not understood that many of the CFS fans, many of which I recognise when I used to go in the fan zone, won’t be going anywhere near it now - in fact there’s no reason for any of the CFS fans to go to the fan zone at all. The demographic of the CFS is generally those who like to have a few beers before the game and watch the lunchtime game, that won’t happen now.

I certainly won’t bother going there now, and I used to spend at least £30/game for me and my kids on food and drink

[KlyBfc]

It has also been mentioned that there is a route through the houses, admittedly a little further of a walk, but you certainly don't need to go all the way around the ground adding to the pinch points to get to your desired location.

That isn’t the case though. The route round through the houses can only be accessed by exiting via the larger gate / exit way next to the club shop and immediately doubling back on yourself up the narrow path. So the main pinch point / issue remains the same for thousands of people. Just look at the picture on page 1, to go via the housing estate and not up harry potts way you have to go through that.

[ArmchairDetective]

I think the plans as a whole look promising. It's good to see investment into the ground and the matchday experience. It might be tailored more to the younger generation but that's okay. It's important for the future that the younger fans (and those further afield) are excited and emotionally invested in the club. We should give it a chance before writing it off. But I'm really saddened by stories where people feel they can no longer go to games because of the changes in access. It's an understatement to say it's a real shame.

[dougcollins]

That isn’t the case though. The route round through the houses can only be accessed by exiting via the larger gate / exit way next to the club shop and immediately doubling back on yourself up the narrow path. So the main pinch point / issue remains the same for thousands of people. Just look at the picture on page 1, to go via the housing estate and not up harry potts way you have to go through that.

Absolutely correct.

[ClaretTony]

That isn’t the case though. The route round through the houses can only be accessed by exiting via the larger gate / exit way next to the club shop and immediately doubling back on yourself up the narrow path. So the main pinch point / issue remains the same for thousands of people. Just look at the picture on page 1, to go via the housing estate and not up harry potts way you have to go through that.

And once you've doubled back on yourself, the path between club and memorial garden isn't the widest.

[The Shire Claret]

It’s not ideal but in reality I think at least half of the James Hargreaves and most of the Jimmy Mac turned right after a match anyway so it’s an extra half of a stand but no more cricket field end as they are now coming out the other side

I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as some people think

Hope I’m right

[ChorltonCharlie]

I think part of the problem here is those involved in the decision never vacate Turf Moor immediately after the game. I don’t even think they realise how congested it was whichever way you went with both exits from the perimeter to the north west and south east narrowing. They’ve effectively made it twice as bad.

If we assume the west side behind the Longside is going to blocked off for away fans and media, then the only real option is to put a big exit in the wall at the corner to the north east of the ground off to the side of the fanzone. Ideally they’d work with the council to put a walkway where the grass is, and add some lighting, and this exit could easily join up with Holcombe Drive. This would at least give an option for people wanting to head north and alleviate pressure on the pinch point. Similar, add two of three gates to the fencing behind the Jimmy McIlroy stand for people who are looking to get to the Brownhill Avenue area.

As someone said, if they aren’t prepared to do this, and they can’t before Saturday, we need to get people filming how bad it is. The fans groups especially, gathering evidence that we’re not just whinging for the sake of whinging.

[Dyched]

BREAKING NEWS

Go Outdoors have taken announce they’re taking over Turkish Best and will be opening a new store in time for the weekend.

[summitclaret]

That gate IS open after the game, isn't it?

Sometimes only half open, would you believe.

[Andreshotboots]

It’s not ideal but in reality I think at least half of the James Hargreaves and most of the Jimmy Mac turned right after a match anyway so it’s an extra half of a stand but no more cricket field end as they are now coming out the other side

I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as some people think

Hope I’m right

I agree, as a human race we hate change, it's natural. I actually think it will help the atmosphere inside the ground having the away fans now surrounded by home fans who like a song, from both sides instead of just one.

I think we all know too on here, if we win 3 0 the external problems won't be half as bad, if we lose it will be the end of the World..

[dougcollins]

I think a fair bit of the concern is not so much the changes themselves, but the potential safety issues created by the changes.

[ClaretTony]

I think part of the problem here is those involved in the decision never vacate Turf Moor immediately after the game.

Hell of a good point

[jsclaret]

I never leave early but being in the North Stand Upper I might start doing so.
I guess if the changes cause the problems referred to on here then it might become more of an issue which isn't a good look.

[helmclaret]

I think a fair bit of the concern is not so much the changes themselves, but the potential safety issues created by the changes.

Doug Metcalfe and his team will have put a hell of a lot of work into this and to get health and safety sign off etc. Decisions like this aren't just made up on the spot!

[CrosspoolClarets]

Could you not just set off 5 minutes earlier if you still want to get your 2 pre-match pints in?

It is an incredible rush as it is. Family play kids football matches in the morning on the other side of the country, quick dash across, lucky to arrive by 2:15pm, quick pit stop for a Guinness Zero in town then in.

What I was pointing out was that though trivial, many of our long standing pre-match routines (and post-match, which is worse) will now have to change. It is a brave company that does that unilaterally to its customers.

But my bigger concerns are safety and security. I’d be amazed if the club are legally allowed to block off access up Ormerod Yard with TV compound fencing, what if there is a security incident and all the fans are hemmed in by a large wall and metal fencing? Contingency planning has to catastrophise and predict unlikely situations. More likely than an incident is a mass scrum and smaller kids in the family stand say to parents they don’t like it and don’t want to attend again.

The upshot of all these examples we are all using is that it is very hard to see how the home fan experience has been raised in any way, quite the contrary.

[claretonthecoast1882]

This new access plan could be forced to be scrapped very quickly if fans worked together.

If the fanzone and the kiosks on the concourse were boycotted by everyone they would soon revert back to being able to use Omerod Yard but it would need everyone in all stands to do so. Probably take 1 or 2 at the most home games for this to work.

[JR1882]

Think we are about to see early leaving hit an all time high.

[Transpennine]

It is an incredible rush as it is. Family play kids football matches in the morning on the other side of the country, quick dash across, lucky to arrive by 2:15pm, quick pit stop for a Guinness Zero in town then in.

What I was pointing out was that though trivial, many of our long standing pre-match routines (and post-match, which is worse) will now have to change. It is a brave company that does that unilaterally to its customers.

But my bigger concerns are safety and security. I’d be amazed if the club are legally allowed to block off access up Ormerod Yard with TV compound fencing, what if there is a security incident and all the fans are hemmed in by a large wall and metal fencing? Contingency planning has to catastrophise and predict unlikely situations. More likely than an incident is a mass scrum and smaller kids in the family stand say to parents they don’t like it and don’t want to attend again.

The upshot of all these examples we are all using is that it is very hard to see how the home fan experience has been raised in any way, quite the contrary.

Would be interesting to see the approved risk assessment for this...

[CrosspoolClarets]

This new access plan could be forced to be scrapped very quickly if fans worked together.

If the fanzone and the kiosks on the concourse were boycotted by everyone they would soon revert back to being able to use Omerod Yard but it would need everyone in all stands to do so. Probably take 1 or 2 at the most home games for this to work.

I’m not encouraging any form of protest but what I can foresee is tannoy man near the end of the game reminding people of the exit route and the fans give dog’s abuse in return that will make it 100% clear to the club how we feel. None of these things will help us get a result vs Sunderland.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Would be interesting to see the approved risk assessment for this...

Yes, the reason we have those high profile bollard things is because of a terrorism risk for a high profile world sports event, which this is. So given the twitchiness the authorities show, I find it staggering they could approve only one exit when fans are surrounded by high walls. For most grounds when sent one-way around the stadium to avoid away fans there isn’t the same hemmed in aspect.

[Rosehill Claret]

Yes, the reason we have those high profile bollard things is because of a terrorism risk for a high profile world sports event, which this is. So given the twitchiness the authorities show, I find it staggering they could approve only one exit when fans are surrounded by high walls. For most grounds when sent one-way around the stadium to avoid away fans there isn’t the same hemmed in aspect.

I am aware that there are anti terrorism bollards on Harry Potts Way outside the club shop, but what is to stop a car driving up Higgin Street towards thousands of people exiting the ground, with no reasonable means of quickly getting out of the way?

[Dyched]

Yes, the reason we have those high profile bollard things is because of a terrorism risk for a high profile world sports event, which this is. So given the twitchiness the authorities show, I find it staggering they could approve only one exit when fans are surrounded by high walls. For most grounds when sent one-way around the stadium to avoid away fans there isn’t the same hemmed in aspect.

You honestly believe Burnley fans won’t be allowed to use the exit if an attack occurred? What’s gonna come over the speakers “Shooter at the Jimmy Mc Gate. Burnley fans this is your only exit, take your chances”.

[GetIntoEm]

I think people should see how it goes before deciding they are no longer going to games, or leaving earlier because of an extra 3 minute walk.

For all we know this has been recommended by the police.

I'm sure it's been thought about.

[jrgbfc]

I think part of the problem here is those involved in the decision never vacate Turf Moor immediately after the game. I don’t even think they realise how congested it was whichever way you went with both exits from the perimeter to the north west and south east narrowing. They’ve effectively made it twice as bad.

As someone said, if they aren’t prepared to do this, and they can’t before Saturday, we need to get people filming how bad it is. The fans groups especially, gathering evidence that we’re not just whinging for the sake of whinging.

Would be nice to send it to Pace and the directors whilst they're enjoying their post match aperitif from the comfort of the directors lounge.

[wilks_bfc]

I am aware that there are anti terrorism bollards on Harry Potts Way outside the club shop, but what is to stop a car driving up Higgin Street towards thousands of people exiting the ground, with no reasonable means of quickly getting out of the way?

That’s a very good point

Higgin St, Brunshaw Rd and the streets surrounding Park View will all still be open to the public

[Barlickclaret]

I think people should see how it goes before deciding they are no longer going to games, or leaving earlier because of an extra 3 minute walk.

For all we know this has been recommended by the police.

I'm sure it's been thought about.

There will be no doubt the police have been consulted, like you say, let's see how it goes, these exits have only been here ever since turf was built, and I'm sure this message board would erupt if we still had to walk down back of the beehole end, and everybody had to, because away fans went out near cricket club.

[Andreshotboots]

I think a fair bit of the concern is not so much the changes themselves, but the potential safety issues created by the changes.

People saying that the changes have been made by those who don't leave the game right after the final whistle, doesn't really make sense to me.

Turf Moor and it's footprint, like all football grounds these days is heavily covered by CCTV. They will be 100% aware of any potential pinch points and areas of concern either in, or around the stadium.

[GetIntoEm]

That’s a very good point

Higgin St, Brunshaw Rd and the streets surrounding Park View will all still be open to the public

Where do you stop though? They'll have assessed the place where most people are and focused on there. You can't close the entire town off

[Inchy]

When I first heard about this I didn’t believe the ‘enhancing experience’ bo11ocks from the club and hoped that maybe this change was part of a bigger redevelopment plan regarding the CFS. If that was the case I think the vast majority of fans would understand there will be disruption, but ultimately it’s for the greater good.

However the club haven’t announced any such plans so you have to assume they actually think this move will enhance the experience, which is utter nonsense.

It’s a shambles

[beddie]

Doug Metcalfe and his team will have put a hell of a lot of work into this and to get health and safety sign off etc. Decisions like this aren't just made up on the spot!

That may well be true but sometimes even the Health and Safety organisation get it wrong.

[Andreshotboots]

Lets face it we need a new purpose built stadium that's fit for the 21st century.

I've said earlier, this is all part of Mr.Pace's plan to make things so bad, that the heavy resistance from supporters to move away from the current site, becomes less and less.

Watch this space

[claretonthecoast1882]

Lets face it we need a new purpose built stadium that's fit for the 21st century.

I've said earlier, this is all part of Mr.Pace's plan to make things so bad, that the heavy resistance from supporters to move away from the current site, becomes less and less.

Watch this space

Ground share with Espanyol

[daveisaclaret]

On the one hand you've got pages after pages of reasonable concerns, personal worries, and general discontentment. On the other hand you've got the same few accounts who hate when anyone criticises anything done by Burnley Football club. Hard to know who's right.

[JohnMcGreal]

I think people should see how it goes before deciding they are no longer going to games, or leaving earlier because of an extra 3 minute walk.

For all we know this has been recommended by the police.

I'm sure it's been thought about.

It's going to take a lot longer than an additional 3 minutes for those who park their cars north of the fire station on Belvedere Road using the new route.

[Andreshotboots]

Ground share with Espanyol

I'm in!! TV companies would hate that though, how are they going to show the chimneys, the grey slate roofs and crown point from over there?.