Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

News

HEADLINES:
Emirates: Report criticises Arsenal for failing to improve transport links
Emirates: Report criticises Arsenal for failing to improve transport links

Arsenal 'failing its Tube fans'

Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor
22.10.07

Arsenal's failure to fund improvements to the Tube and train network for fans travelling to the Emirates stadium is criticised in an official report today.

It says the Gunners' approach is in "stark contrast" to the situation at the new Wembley, where stadium owners the Football Association contributed £ 9million towards the £100 million upgrade of three stations.

The London Assembly report points out that Arsenal's matchday income has doubled to £3.1 million compared with the take at its former home at Highbury, and it spends £83 million on its footballers' wages.

As part of the planning permission, the club was to contribute nearly £8 million towards improvements to Holloway Road Tube and Drayton Park train stations. But the Tube station is closed to fans on matchdays on safety grounds, while Drayton Park has no late-night or weekend services - causing delays of up to an hour as fans leave the 60,000-seat stadium.

The report says this is because it would cost £60 million to upgrade Holloway Road and about £8 million to improve Drayton Park, but other sources of funding cannot be found. As a result, Arsenal's money remains unspent.

Reader views (2)

 Add your view

Arsenal should take a lead from Spurs ... we're going down the tubes with alarming speed!

- Paul, London

That makes no sense. Arsenal are willing to spend a greater proportion towards the redevelopment of Holloway Road tube station than the FA did towards Wembley tube station. But somehow Arsenal are at fault?

If someone is not taking up their responsibilities to improve the public transport system in North/East London it's TfL.

- Panos, Islington, London


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.