Midland Road incident

This is on the website. https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/287429/request_a_streetroad_closure_for_your_event

• Large Commercial Events lasting one day: £2,638.35
• Large Commercial Events lasting for more than one day: £3,653 (additional road closures for the same event: £64 each)

So I read that as an initial fee of £3,653 plus £64 X 23 (home league games) works out as £5,125.

The wording is somewhat poorly defined. Do they mean more than one road, or is it a repeat cost for the same event, basically the same road over several separate days?

Basically the club needs to explore the possibility with the Local Authority and come up with a plan. If the costs are totally prohibitive then set them out so the supporters can see and understand.

A significant number of Bradford residents go to City matches. The Council has a duty of care to the population.

The incident has now been reported in the T&A https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23104265.bradford-city-fan-speaks-attack-fa-cup-match/

Just remember, that the ‘apparent reason’ for bringing Saturday’s game forward, was due to the availability of medical provisions - including ambulances to be free to attend to Bonfire night incidents.
https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/october/harrogate-fa-cup-date-confirmed/

Having scoured the T&A, the only reference to a Bonfire night incident is the fire brigade being called out to an out of control fire. No suggestion of mass firework injuries overwhelming the health services! https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23104447.firefighters-called-bonfire-scrapyard-wyke-lane/

 

I understand completely what you say about fans taking responsibility for their own safety once they leave VP. But that also relies upon car drivers, incl some of our fans, being equally responsible and not driving on the local roads like imbeciles.

There still remains a duty of care for the club which extends beyond the ground itself. For example, during the winter, the club is expected (by the SAG maybe?) to keep the footpaths around VP clear of ice so that fans don't get injured from slipping. I recall at least one game a few seasons ago which had to be cancelled because the local footpaths couldn't be cleared of ice and were considered unsafe. I've no idea how far that duty of care extends but it certainly shouldn't be ignored.


Edit - Role of SAG

https://sgsa.org.uk/safety-advisory-groups/

 

If City, the Health Services, & Bradford MBC, can identify a potential risk to the population in Health and Safety terms, take proactive action in moving a well established event from its normal time, on the basis that Health and Emergency Services could be required to deal with (firework) incidents, then they have been proactive. Planning for issues, and putting in place a system to deal with it.

Looking at crowds leaving Valley Parade, then surely the same group (Club, Emergency Services, and Bradford MBC) could undertake an assessment of the ‘potential risk’ and put in place actions to seek to minimise the risk to members of the public (potential road closure of the Midland Road for a period after a game)?

 

Totally agree.

Time for people who have strong views about the matter to write to their Councillors.

Details on this link! https://bradford.moderngov.co.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=0

 

That's all that should be required. A section of Midland Rd behind the stand from Holywell Ash Lane to Thorncliffe Rd is already coned off by City stewards for several hours every game preventing traffic from driving the full length of MR. That doesn't appear to cause too much of a problem. It shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to come up with a safer solution.

Ps I'd also start by enforcing parking restrictions on some of the pavements on MR around the timber yard and recycling Centre which create pinch points and force fans to walk on the road itself to get through.