Hopefully we can get 10k extension, that would do for me! If it was a choice between 52,000 and staying at the Bridge or 60,000 at a new stadium, then I would choose the Bridge
Would have had 50k already if Bates had not built stupid motel. One tier Dortmund-style end, 15k stand, job done
I don't think capacity is the problem, we could build a 60,000 stadium on the available site with clever Architecture and Council assistance. The real problem seems to be safety with regards to emergency exits, and general congestion. This is the issue that causes the Council to **** its pants because of the potential Legal and cost ramifications in case of a disaster. Pedestrian exits over the railway lines would seem a sensible idea, they could even run to New Kings Road with little problem. Roman needs to engage an Architect who can think outside the box, he has a tricky site to work with and needs a completely new approach to stadium design. If they pull it off, it will be a groundbreaking arena. Time for everyone involved to get behind our Board, no more personal agendas or it will all go off the rails.
I really hope something can/will happen. I suppose the question that will come up is the economics of the significant spend to transform SB vs. the revenue increase by plus 10k supporters. Does it work/ever pay back? It might be that the purchase of a new site (cheaper than the current value of the land SB is built on) plus stadium for 60k supporters, selling SB could be a very economical resolution. If the first option will take 10/15/20 years to get the value back, then option 2 might well happen anyway. Clearly, we would all love to stay where we are, with a reasonable/significant increase to capacity. If that can't happen, then we have to move. Whatever the situation, we absolutely need to get on with it.
Good news if it happens in our lifetime! I'm sure Hammersmith and Fulham would hate to see us leave SB(so would I) so they will do all the necessary to keep us, but I'm sure borough residents will have a say in the matter!
All those years ago when I first used to go to SB I would never have dreamed that 45 odd years later we would be having all this much trouble. I really hope they manage to keep it where it is as for me it wouldn't be the same with a new stadium elsewhere.
The key is the railway lines. The ground is up tight on two sides. You can't go down anymore with the old river down there, the car park and the service tunnels. You have to go over and they are thinking about the stands hanging over the tracks, but hey will need an exit towards the Seagrave Road area I'm sure, but the car park there is part of the Earl's Court development. Then there is the height of any new structures. There will be bound to be resident complaints and from the cemetery. All in all I'm not confident a solution can be found from The Bridge.
A feasibility study to show the CPO that any alteration would be expensive and would be slowed down by considerable speed humps (council & residents). Staying at SB would be great but should this come to nothing we'll have to move asap.
Staying at the Bridge should be a concern and adding more capacity to the ground should be the main aim, but it is feasible that we may move one day and us fans will have to come to terms with it.
