New Reds' stadium in cash delay risk

[Cunny]

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv...-name_page.html

 

New Reds' stadium in cash delay riskMay 22 2006

 

 

 

 

By Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

 

 

CASH for Liverpool FC's new stadium may be at risk from another delay, it was claimed today.

 

Plans to publicise the loss of part of Stanley Park, where the club's new home would be built, are now on hold.

 

The advertisement, agreed by the council less than twoweeks ago, would prove that the project is still on track and help convince European officials to hand over about £10m.

 

But ahandful of city councillors want the proposal investigated further and have ordered it beforea town hall committee.

 

It means the advert will not be made for a few more weeks, possibly longer.

 

 

With the council and Liverpool FC working around the clocktomeet tight deadlines on the £160m scheme, community leaders fear the delay could cause real problems.

 

 

The Reds have less than three months to provide a cast-iron guarantee thatthe 60,000-seater stadium will be built - or millions of pounds of European cash could be lost.

 

 

Anfield councillor Robbie Quinn today called on objectors to stepaside so the scheme could progress.

 

 

He said: "The stadium plans went through extensive consultation with the community and most people gave them a cautious welcome.

 

 

"To call the plans in to a committee now places a real risk on the European funding.

 

 

"The club is at a crucial stage of negotiations to secure thatmoney and the last thing they want to hear is that the process is being frustrated. It is ridiculous and irresponsible for councillors with no democratic mandate in this area to halt these developments.

 

 

"They need to realise thatareas will remain in squalor while they take this action."

 

 

But Tuebrook councillor Steve Rad-ford, one of three to call in the scheme, says there are still many unanswered questions.

 

 

He added: "The public have been left in the dark. We want to make sure that residents know what the deal is if Stanley Park is sacrificed.

 

 

"We have not had a full explanation about howtraffic and parking will be handled, and what access therewill be to the new Anfield Plaza.

 

 

"No one has given us an honest answer to these questions."

[Kite]

Is that Steve Radford a bitter then?

[fyds]

The council have been kept informed throughout the whole process and provision for access and parking was finalised in the revised plan, both to the council, the Deputy Prime Ministers office and the NWDA's satisfaction.

 

I wonder who Radford supports?

Edited May 22, 2006 by fyds

[Andy @ Allerton]

Good let's hope that it keeps getting delayed and then abandoned.

 

I for one will be made up if we stay at Anfield instead of some crappy soulless bowl like several others in the league.

Edited May 22, 2006 by Andy

[fyds]

BTW - who wants odds on a certain Joe Kenny being one of the other two?

[picks]

farce.

[fyds]

Good let's hope that it keeps getting delayed and then abandoned.

 

I for one will be made up if we stay at Anfielf instead of some crappy soulless bowl like several others in the league.

 

...and as Arsenal, the Chaves, Manure, Newcastle and eventually others start pulling in between 55,000 and 75,000 we can tell ourselves that we were big once, and we had money to spend on players too.

 

C'mon Andy - get real.

[Cunny]

BTW - who wants odds on a certain Joe Kenny being one of the other two?

 

is he still a councillor?

[fyds]

is he still a councillor?

Think so - but could be wrong given recent elections!

[Guest Brampton]

steve radford is the liberal councillor.

 

i used to work with him at marconi, he isnt in to footy so its not just a bitter having a swipe

[fyds]

steve radford is the liberal councillor.

 

i used to work with him at marconi, he isnt in to footy so its not just a bitter having a swipe

Maybe he's in to backhanders then?

[LeeRadford]

steve radford is the liberal councillor.

 

maybe I should have a word with him, don't want him giving us Radford's a bad rep!

[Falconhoof]

There's a very simple solution to this.

 

The councillor is saying "We have not had a full explanation about how traffic and parking will be handled, and what access there will be to the new Anfield Plaza. "

 

All we need to do is give him and the council our detailed plans for the infrastructure around the stadium. We've had years now to make those plans so i'd expect we have detailed documents about the car parking, park and ride etc.

[monkey puzzle]

Maybe he's in to backhanders then?

 

 

If they were into back handers the thing would be built by now.....

[Lee W]

 

C'mon Andy - get real.

 

[beejay]

Good let's hope that it keeps getting delayed and then abandoned.

 

I for one will be made up if we stay at Anfield instead of some crappy soulless bowl like several others in the league.

 

Im with you on this, why cant Liverpool just develop around our existing ground, I would hate it if Liverpool didn't have a Kop anymore. Im sure we can raie the seating to around 55,000-60,000 if we re-develop the main stand to join the anny road, possible a two tier main stand mirroring the centenary, and fill the corners that are currently wasted.

 

Liverpool own a lot of property around the area, and its a far cheaper option. What about the pubs around the ground aswell, I'm not sure everyone fancies waking mile away from the ground to have a few before the game. Thats where a lot of atmosphere starts!

 

Ever since I saw the plans for the new stadium with their being no replica one tier Kop, I had a downer on it, and with all the stuff thats come after it I'd be far happier just expanding what we've got!

[fyds]

There's a very simple solution to this.

 

The councillor is saying "We have not had a full explanation about how traffic and parking will be handled, and what access there will be to the new Anfield Plaza. "

 

All we need to do is give him and the council our detailed plans for the infrastructure around the stadium. We've had years now to make those plans so i'd expect we have detailed documents about the car parking, park and ride etc.

Which we've done - and recently had it passed yet again.

[Lee W]

Im with you on this, why cant Liverpool just develop around our existing ground, I would hate it if Liverpool didn't have a Kop anymore. Im sure we can raie the seating to around 55,000-60,000 if we re-develop the main stand to join the anny road, possible a two tier main stand mirroring the centenary, and fill the corners that are currently wasted.

 

Liverpool own a lot of property around the area, and its a far cheaper option. What about the pubs around the ground aswell, I'm not sure everyone fancies waking mile away from the ground to have a few before the game. Thats where a lot of atmosphere starts!

 

 

...and where a lot of it stays aswell sometimes.

 

Anyway, the new site is a mere five minute walk from the Anny Road end or a mere roll down the hill for the more weightier YNWA members.

[AE]

...and where a lot of it stays aswell sometimes.

 

Anyway, the new site is a mere five minute walk from the Anny Road end or a mere roll down the hill for the more weightier YNWA members.

 

Aye, but we will need strong crash barriers to stop them at the bottom

[Murphman]

I changed my mind again on Friday when I saw Arsenal's new stadium on the telly.

 

Fecking smart that is.

[Guest YKI]

Good let's hope that it keeps getting delayed and then abandoned.

 

I for one will be made up if we stay at Anfield instead of some crappy soulless bowl like several others in the league.

 

Yep, it'll be ace when we're left behind financially and we are forced to sign the 2012 equivalents of James Beattie, David Weir and Alan Stubbs. I can't wait, myself. Sentiment has no place in success.

Edited May 22, 2006 by YKI

[Falconhoof]

Which we've done - and recently had it passed yet again.

 

 

So what is radford asking for then ? None of this is joined up. Why can't the Echo, the journalist who took Radford's statement have asked him specifically what they haven't seen from LFC and what they need to see.

 

Rick Parry/David Moores need to make a statement about this to tell the councillor that he's had all of the information he needs, his questions have been answered and the plans have been passed by national government and by local consultation with residents. The club shouldn't let someone like Radford get his objection in unchallenged.

[fyds]

Im with you on this, why cant Liverpool just develop around our existing ground, I would hate it if Liverpool didn't have a Kop anymore. Im sure we can raie the seating to around 55,000-60,000 if we re-develop the main stand to join the anny road, possible a two tier main stand mirroring the centenary, and fill the corners that are currently wasted.

 

Liverpool own a lot of property around the area, and its a far cheaper option. What about the pubs around the ground aswell, I'm not sure everyone fancies waking mile away from the ground to have a few before the game. Thats where a lot of atmosphere starts!

 

Ever since I saw the plans for the new stadium with their being no replica one tier Kop, I had a downer on it, and with all the stuff thats come after it I'd be far happier just expanding what we've got!

Because we can't - we don't have the footprint required and the cost of adding even 10,000 to the current gate where it possible would be almost as much as building a new stadium from scrath - plus we would lose out heavily on gate money for every game those parts of any rebuild in the existing stadium were unavailable. PLus, the new ground would have massively improved and new facilities. We would get no help with funding (big deal. perhaps) but we would also have to start from scratch in drawing up plans and aplying for planning permission we would be very unlikely to get. Of course, none of the above also addresses the dire need for regeneration in the local community.

 

It's imperative we move, build the new stadium and fill it as much and as often as possible - it's the only way we will be able to financially keep our place at the top table. The arguement for this and why staying is a no-brainerhas been made in detail and eloquently by Rushian many times - on a factual basis - as well as by others. We can be a living, growing club or we can be hostage to our own history, always looking back. We can't afford the latter if we're serious about the future.

[Falconhoof]

I changed my mind again on Friday when I saw Arsenal's new stadium on the telly.

 

Fecking smart that is.

 

 

They'll fill it every week too, charging more than we do and with a smaller fanbase. We'll need scope to expand ours, i'm convinced we'll fill this stadium every week if it ever gets built.

[fyds]

So what is radford asking for then ? None of this is joined up. Why can't the Echo, the journalist who took Radford's statement have asked him specifically what they haven't seen from LFC and what they need to see.

 

Rick Parry/David Moores need to make a statement about this to tell the councillor that he's had all of the information he needs, his questions have been answered and the plans have been passed by national government and by local consultation with residents. The club shouldn't let someone like Radford get his objection in unchallenged.

 

I think there are games of local politics (again) being played. I'm sure the clubs' lawyers were on to Mr Radford and hsi chums the moment this was read by Parry and Moores this morning. The response from the gobsmacked councillor is quite telling - he doesn't see what the problem is.

 

There are few people better able to shoot the City of Liverpool in both feet than it's own City elders...they beggar belief at times.