On monday i inquired about blue badge parking at Langdale park and was informed that it was allocated tothe home fans any visiting supporters had to park at the old tesco's car park and walk to the ground. Dropping off and going to the car park was also forbbiden on a rough estimate i think this is about 2 miles?, I have tried to persuade the young lady at the reception desk but she is only giving out the information she has been told. Does anyone else have any ideas on how to recitify this ?

IIRC grounds don't have to supply away supporters with disabled parking, I may be wrong and if I am I'm sure Gill (or someone!) will correct me but everywhere I've been they clubs have been most accomodating

At Hull FC we have 1 disabled bay on a first come first served basis for it but we have car parking around the ground and the lady who sorts out the disabled parking will endevour to get you a space somewhere around the ground and she's very understanding and will try and accomodate all aways fans who need spaces. We will also let you drop off and pick up, although for pick up you cannot pick up around the stadium bowl for safety reasons, it has to be from South car park.

Well I suppose that means I'll never see Langdale Park in the flesh so to speak cos I can't walk that distance

(and I don't suppose hubby would be able to push me for 2 miles each way either, he'd be bloody knackered

)

I suppose you could quote the DDA to them and say without disabled parking you wouldn't be able to attend and that would be discriminating??

Anyone else with ideas?? I'd be interested in the outcome. Good luck.

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Hi Beemer

Thanks very much for letting us know about this, it is a big concern and one I'll make some enquiries about and I will post here what I discover.

It seems that there may be a problem with the new built grounds as some issues have already been highlighted regarding Salford's new stadium. As I have already stated on here recently I do worry that RL is following a Football ethos instead of the 'family sport' one that our great game is famous for and that the end product may be that you don't get disabled spectators travelling to away grounds with their families.

I will set to work and see what I can find out now and pass this onto the RFL's E and D department so that they can take action to resolve this as soon as possible.

Take care and just sorry going to a Rugby League game has turned into an endurance event.

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Hi Beemer, Had a quick scan of the St Helen's website and they are apparently allocating the 30% parking to visiting away fans, see below, (Quoted from www.saintsrlfc.com/club/31) 30% of the available spaces on the South East car park have been allocated to away disabled supporters; this is close to the accommodation for away supporters; they must contact the St.Helens Club ticket office to book their place before the Thursday of the Friday evening game, or in the case of any other fixture date a day before the game. This is so that any unused spaces can be allocated to other disabled supporters. I'm just wondering if what you were told relates to the game being the first one at the new ground but it's still not a good approach to take, I'll keep you updated on what I find out.

Hi Beemer, Had a quick scan of the St Helen's website and they are apparently allocating the 30% parking to visiting away fans, see below, (Quoted from www.saintsrlfc.com/club/31) 30% of the available spaces on the South East car park have been allocated to away disabled supporters; this is close to the accommodation for away supporters; they must contact the St.Helens Club ticket office to book their place before the Thursday of the Friday evening game, or in the case of any other fixture date a day before the game. This is so that any unused spaces can be allocated to other disabled supporters. I'm just wondering if what you were told relates to the game being the first one at the new ground but it's still not a good approach to take, I'll keep you updated on what I find out.

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Sorry I got the name wrong Langtree park not langdale park after a phone call to Martin Sadler at league express, and him mentioning it to Mr Macmanus he contacted me and aranged for a pass to be left with the car park steward but that still does not explain why the receptionist is still telling people that you have to park at the old Tesco site?. I have nothing bad to say about the facilities in the ground or the stewards they seem to be on a learning curve for their new stadium, just contact them before your team plays there.

Hi Beemmer

I have news and it's positive.

I did email the RFL E and D Department and got a response which is positive and knowing the GSO ( Ground Safety Officer) he will deal with it and make sure they are tuned up for the new season to start so hopefully that is one sorted out although feedback from other disabled spectators and their families always helps.



I spoke to the GSO at St Helens and it is clear that in this case the receptionist has provided incorrect information to the individual looking to book tickets. As you aware parking is a premium at the new stadium They have a total of 57 accessible parking places at the stadium and of those 15 have been allocated to home fans. Disabled fans should never be asked to park at the Old Tesco ground. The GSO also confirmed that disabled fans can also drop off disabled fans before going to park in the car park. The GSO said he was going straight down to reception to ensure all the staff there and at the tickets office were aware of correct policies. From what I can gather the new stadium and staff have had a steep learning curve and they anticipate all these issues will have been ironed out by the start of the season.

This statement tells me that this was just a mistake by office staff and it will be sorted Beemmer.