The Pompey Chimes Forum

Milton End wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:18 pm Yesterday, I managed to obtain a ticket for the Shrewsbury match in the new Milton End. The rebuilt stand is obviously an improvement but it left me with major safety concerns.

The only access to all the seats is via an elevated walkway about 4 metres wide high up at the back of the stand. This corridor is lined with bars on the pitch side and a high retaining wall on the other side facing the houses behind the stand.

There were obvious problems yesterday with access: for example, there was at least a 40 metre queue to enter the ground - just in time for the start. There was also only one male toilet at the south end ground level. It took me nearly 30 minutes at half-time to reach the toilet: missed the first ten minutes of the second half. And there was still a long queue as I walked back to my seat.

But what was really concerning was the basic problem at half-time: up to 3000 fans have no choice but to use this upper access corridoor.

As a consequence, it was packed with little movement. People were buying drinks on one side of the route and enjoying their beers on the other side. This meant that the central passageway was narrowed and hardly moving. Young children were being sheltered in this crowded mass. Most people were patient and mostly good-natured.

But if there had been an emergency - like an (unlikely) fire or a (more likely) fist fight - there might be a stampede to exit the corridoor down the stairs at the south end with all the consequences that we have seen in the past.

The Club needs to sort this out: it's a design fault that needs to be addressed.

If anyone has messaging access to Andy Cullen and other senior PFC staff, it would be helpful to the club if they could pass on this observation from yesterday. Thanks.

Pompey55 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:15 am

Milton End wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:18 pm Yesterday, I managed to obtain a ticket for the Shrewsbury match in the new Milton End. The rebuilt stand is obviously an improvement but it left me with major safety concerns.

The only access to all the seats is via an elevated walkway about 4 metres wide high up at the back of the stand. This corridor is lined with bars on the pitch side and a high retaining wall on the other side facing the houses behind the stand.

There were obvious problems yesterday with access: for example, there was at least a 40 metre queue to enter the ground - just in time for the start. There was also only one male toilet at the south end ground level. It took me nearly 30 minutes at half-time to reach the toilet: missed the first ten minutes of the second half. And there was still a long queue as I walked back to my seat.

But what was really concerning was the basic problem at half-time: up to 3000 fans have no choice but to use this upper access corridoor.

As a consequence, it was packed with little movement. People were buying drinks on one side of the route and enjoying their beers on the other side. This meant that the central passageway was narrowed and hardly moving. Young children were being sheltered in this crowded mass. Most people were patient and mostly good-natured.

But if there had been an emergency - like an (unlikely) fire or a (more likely) fist fight - there might be a stampede to exit the corridoor down the stairs at the south end with all the consequences that we have seen in the past.

The Club needs to sort this out: it's a design fault that needs to be addressed.

If anyone has messaging access to Andy Cullen and other senior PFC staff, it would be helpful to the club if they could pass on this observation from yesterday. Thanks.

You could try via Johnny Moore who is supporter liaison johnnymoore@pompeyfc.co.uk

Pompey55 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:15 am

Milton End wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:18 pm Yesterday, I managed to obtain a ticket for the Shrewsbury match in the new Milton End. The rebuilt stand is obviously an improvement but it left me with major safety concerns.

The only access to all the seats is via an elevated walkway about 4 metres wide high up at the back of the stand. This corridor is lined with bars on the pitch side and a high retaining wall on the other side facing the houses behind the stand.

There were obvious problems yesterday with access: for example, there was at least a 40 metre queue to enter the ground - just in time for the start. There was also only one male toilet at the south end ground level. It took me nearly 30 minutes at half-time to reach the toilet: missed the first ten minutes of the second half. And there was still a long queue as I walked back to my seat.

But what was really concerning was the basic problem at half-time: up to 3000 fans have no choice but to use this upper access corridoor.

As a consequence, it was packed with little movement. People were buying drinks on one side of the route and enjoying their beers on the other side. This meant that the central passageway was narrowed and hardly moving. Young children were being sheltered in this crowded mass. Most people were patient and mostly good-natured.

But if there had been an emergency - like an (unlikely) fire or a (more likely) fist fight - there might be a stampede to exit the corridoor down the stairs at the south end with all the consequences that we have seen in the past.

The Club needs to sort this out: it's a design fault that needs to be addressed.

If anyone has messaging access to Andy Cullen and other senior PFC staff, it would be helpful to the club if they could pass on this observation from yesterday. Thanks.

You could try via Johnny Moore who is supporter liaison johnnymoore@pompeyfc.co.uk

Milton End wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:50 am

Pompey55 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:15 am

Milton End wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:18 pm Yesterday, I managed to obtain a ticket for the Shrewsbury match in the new Milton End. The rebuilt stand is obviously an improvement but it left me with major safety concerns.

The only access to all the seats is via an elevated walkway about 4 metres wide high up at the back of the stand. This corridor is lined with bars on the pitch side and a high retaining wall on the other side facing the houses behind the stand.

There were obvious problems yesterday with access: for example, there was at least a 40 metre queue to enter the ground - just in time for the start. There was also only one male toilet at the south end ground level. It took me nearly 30 minutes at half-time to reach the toilet: missed the first ten minutes of the second half. And there was still a long queue as I walked back to my seat.

But what was really concerning was the basic problem at half-time: up to 3000 fans have no choice but to use this upper access corridoor.

As a consequence, it was packed with little movement. People were buying drinks on one side of the route and enjoying their beers on the other side. This meant that the central passageway was narrowed and hardly moving. Young children were being sheltered in this crowded mass. Most people were patient and mostly good-natured.

But if there had been an emergency - like an (unlikely) fire or a (more likely) fist fight - there might be a stampede to exit the corridoor down the stairs at the south end with all the consequences that we have seen in the past.

The Club needs to sort this out: it's a design fault that needs to be addressed.

If anyone has messaging access to Andy Cullen and other senior PFC staff, it would be helpful to the club if they could pass on this observation from yesterday. Thanks.

You could try via Johnny Moore who is supporter liaison johnnymoore@pompeyfc.co.uk

Thanks Pompey55.

I have just emailed Johnny and hopefully will receive a response.

leen59 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:47 pm I also concur with the safety concerns raised at the Milton End on Saturday. I witnessed 3 St John’s Ambulance staff personnel clearly responding to an incident in MQ section trying to force their way through the congestion on the concourse at half time.
I received an email from the club today, asking for completion of a survey regarding my match day experience on Saturday and have provided feedback about the issues I encountered , which hopefully the club will take on board.

Pompey1984+1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:36 am

Pompey55 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:15 am

Milton End wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:18 pm Yesterday, I managed to obtain a ticket for the Shrewsbury match in the new Milton End. The rebuilt stand is obviously an improvement but it left me with major safety concerns.

The only access to all the seats is via an elevated walkway about 4 metres wide high up at the back of the stand. This corridor is lined with bars on the pitch side and a high retaining wall on the other side facing the houses behind the stand.

There were obvious problems yesterday with access: for example, there was at least a 40 metre queue to enter the ground - just in time for the start. There was also only one male toilet at the south end ground level. It took me nearly 30 minutes at half-time to reach the toilet: missed the first ten minutes of the second half. And there was still a long queue as I walked back to my seat.

But what was really concerning was the basic problem at half-time: up to 3000 fans have no choice but to use this upper access corridoor.

As a consequence, it was packed with little movement. People were buying drinks on one side of the route and enjoying their beers on the other side. This meant that the central passageway was narrowed and hardly moving. Young children were being sheltered in this crowded mass. Most people were patient and mostly good-natured.

But if there had been an emergency - like an (unlikely) fire or a (more likely) fist fight - there might be a stampede to exit the corridoor down the stairs at the south end with all the consequences that we have seen in the past.

The Club needs to sort this out: it's a design fault that needs to be addressed.

If anyone has messaging access to Andy Cullen and other senior PFC staff, it would be helpful to the club if they could pass on this observation from yesterday. Thanks.

You could try via Johnny Moore who is supporter liaison johnnymoore@pompeyfc.co.uk

There is that PST person that posts on here - can't remember their user name? Leon or something like that?