Dolman Stand Access - Important Information

[CodeRed]

There has been one thing implied but not actually stated in the various posts.

Due to work / family commitments and / or travel arrangements, there will be a large group of supporters who will be unable to arrive early. This group, in all probability, miss the start of every match. What a way to treat customers, many of whom, have bought season tickets.

Come on Dave L - if you're still reading this thread get the powers that be to sort things out.

Those folk who definitely can't get there early could consider doing what I did this morning.......

 

I rang the ticket office and transferred my ST over from the Dolman Stand to block B in the Williams,  not the solution I

wanted but better than missing the first 20 minutes of the match.

 

I know that won't suit everyone.

[lanceloto]

Could you not just do something like this (Bird Eye View)

 

|                     @////////////////////////|

|                     @                          |

|                     @                          |

|                     @                          |

|                     @                          |

|                     @                          |

|/////////////////////@                          |

 

 

///// = a row of turnstiles

@@@ = an exit gate...  

I know that this would only add the two turnstiles they are having to remove but it would mean you could add an extra 1200 people an hour

[pongo88]

Could you not just do something like this (Bird Eye View)

| @////////////////////////|

| @ |

| @ |

| @ |

| @ |

| @ |

|/////////////////////@ |

///// = a row of turnstiles

@@@ = an exit gate...

I know that this would only add the two turnstiles they are having to remove but it would mean you could add an extra 1200 people an hour

Whether or not this would work, it's an imaginative idea. City need to use a bit of imagination and consider all options and not just pass the problem over to the supporters

[SecretSam]

@DaveL: I think with the Hillsborough enquiry going on, it's a timely reminder of what can happen if the flow of fans can't be managed.  We don't want a repeat of that, even on a small scale. 

[Aizoon]

If I remember correctly, a match ball was once brought in by parachute, circa mid 1970's.

 

And that was a firkin shambles,too. I was there.

[Aizoon]

I'm sure it is......................but the club haven't put much thought into it any solutions yet.   

 

Two things will happen

 

1) The club will find a way to allow fans who have passed through the turnstiles to enter the

DEH - that's relatively easy to sort out once they actually start to think about it

 

2) The turnstiles/exit gates will be opened at 2.50pm to allow the massive angry queue to enter without

checks.............that's what happened last time when the scanners didn't work and that "solution" will be

deployed again at the first game.

 

Only then will they start to think about actual practical solutions like portable turnstiles etc, up to that

point they hope enough people will get there early enough to minimise the queues. They won't though,

some will ( a few hundred maybe?) but that's all. 

 

I think we should call you Cassandra.

 

What do you mean, that giant wooden horse might be full of armed Greeks? Bloody moaner!

[CiderJar]

Whether or not this would work, it's an imaginative idea. City need to use a bit of imagination and consider all options and not just pass the problem over to the supporters

 

The configuration changed a bit when you quoted it, not sure it will work at all as quoted, you'll go through the turnstiles and still be outside the exit gates, a riot will ensue. 

[lanceloto]

The configuration changed a bit when you quoted it, not sure it will work at all as quoted, you'll go through the turnstiles and still be outside the exit gates, a riot will ensue.

Well we'll just have to turn up early, if 75% of the capacity are through the first four turnstiles/exits by 10:00 then we should have no trouble... it's scaling the wall at the end that will really take the time.

[pongo88]

I think we should call you Cassandra.

Definitely. Poor Cassandra could foretell the future but she was cursed. Nobody would believe what she said. It seems as though the club doesn't believe any of the prophesies of doom and gloom about using only 8 turnstiles so we can expect chaos on match days.

[WTFiGO!?!]

Might put it out as a 'Problem Solving Exercise' to groups of school pupils to show off their lateral thinking abilities.

Any group to come back with what City have thus far musterred, will be rewarded with vouchers for Ashton Gate's finest cusuine.

[pongo88]

Might put it out as a 'Problem Solving Exercise' to groups of school pupils to show off their lateral thinking abilities.

Any group to come back with what City have thus far musterred, will be rewarded with vouchers for Ashton Gate's finest cusuine.

Give the problem to groups of primary school children. They are not constrained by paradigms (unwritten rules and procedures) that limit adults' thinking. Guranteed that some of the groups would come up with simple solutions, that, with a bit of tweaking, would work.

[Mad Cyril]

I am amazed how this discussion has developed from "bit short on turnstiles while we do essential rebuild work so you might want to get there a bit earlier if you can" to warnings of Rangers/Hillsborough tragedy in waiting.

Now remind me again who is playing on August 9 and in what league?

[PHILINFRANCE]

The configuration changed a bit when you quoted it, not sure it will work at all as quoted, you'll go through the turnstiles and still be outside the exit gates, a riot will ensue. 

 

I wanted to 'like' this because it made me laugh, but I have run out of likes.

 

Consider this post a like.

[bristolcitysweden]

Best idea should be to build up to six temporary stairways outside the Dolman leading on to the top of the stand

[Dave L]

As a result of consultation with supporters we've had another look at this.

 

For a trial period, admission to the Dolman Exhibition Hall (DEH)  will be for Dolman stand ticket holders (ST and matchday) only.

 

Dolman ticket holders will be able to access the DEH via the turnstiles from 12 noon on a Saturday and then go into the DEH. There will be no admission to the rest of the stand until 1.30. As before, access to the DEH will be limited according to it's allowed capacity under the terms of the safety certificate. (Currently 1100, but this could change as the building work progresses).

 

Once you are in the DEH, you will now be able to access the main stand before kick off via the corridor by the toilets at the Atyeo end. We are also putting in a door through to the stand at the other end of the DEH to allow access to the stand at the southern end, but it's possible this won't be done by the first game.  As you will already have come in through a turnstile, there will be no need to show any pass or ticket. This will do away with the need to leave the DEH through the rear door and come back in through the turnstiles. This will help to ease congestion at the turnstiles in the key half hour period before kick off.

 

You will still be able to go out for a smoke if necessary through the doors at the rear, but there will be no general access to the DEH through the rear doors.

 

Unfortunately this means that Williams and Atyeo ticket holders will no longer be able to use the DEH before the game. We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause some supporters. Our general advice to supporters in the Dolman stand remains to get there as early as you can.

 

As before, we ask you for your patience and understanding over the next two years. There will be lots of changes that will present problems for all of us, and we will continue to do our best to work with fans to find the best solution for the most number of people.

 

This information will be sent out to all supporters in the next week.

[RedRaw]

Good to see the club have listened to the serious concerns on this issue and made this important change in plan.

[Bristol Rob]

As a result of consultation with supporters we've had another look at this.

For a trial period, admission to the Dolman Exhibition Hall (DEH) will be for Dolman stand ticket holders (ST and matchday) only.

Dolman ticket holders will be able to access the DEH via the turnstiles from 12 noon on a Saturday and then go into the DEH. There will be no admission to the rest of the stand until 1.30. As before, access to the DEH will be limited according to it's allowed capacity under the terms of the safety certificate. (Currently 1100, but this could change as the building work progresses).

Once you are in the DEH, you will now be able to access the main stand before kick off via the corridor by the toilets at the Atyeo end. We are also putting in a door through to the stand at the other end of the DEH to allow access to the stand at the southern end, but it's possible this won't be done by the first game. As you will already have come in through a turnstile, there will be no need to show any pass or ticket. This will do away with the need to leave the DEH through the rear door and come back in through the turnstiles. This will help to ease congestion at the turnstiles in the key half hour period before kick off.

You will still be able to go out for a smoke if necessary through the doors at the rear, but there will be no general access to the DEH through the rear doors.

Unfortunately this means that Williams and Atyeo ticket holders will no longer be able to use the DEH before the game. We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause some supporters. Our general advice to supporters in the Dolman stand remains to get there as early as you can.

As before, we ask you for your patience and understanding over the next two years. There will be lots of changes that will present problems for all of us, and we will continue to do our best to work with fans to find the best solution for the most number of people.

This information will be sent out to all supporters in the next week.

That is some top fan liaisoning, thanks a lot Dave!

[pongo88]

When done Dave.  (Please remember that the flak about the changes was supporters moaning about the club, not you personally)

[Lack of Action Man]

As a result of consultation with supporters we've had another look at this.

 

Unfortunately this means that Williams and Atyeo ticket holders will no longer be able to use the DEH before the game. We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause some supporters. Our general advice to supporters in the Dolman stand remains to get there as early as you can.

 

 

Did you consult any fans in the Atyeo or Williams?

 

Pretty dissapointed by this Tbh.

[Monkeh]

Did you consult any fans in the Atyeo or Williams?

 

Pretty dissapointed by this Tbh.

thats the problem, whatever the club does they can't win here,

[RedRaw]

Did you consult any fans in the Atyeo or Williams?

 

Pretty dissapointed by this Tbh.

 

I think under the circumstances, H&S and all that, its the only sensible outcome  

 

At least the Atyeo and Williams will have some pre-match entertainment.............the Atyeo goading the away fans and the Williams berating E and F block for making too much noise

[RedM]

I think under the circumstances, H&S and all that, its the only sensible outcome  

 

At least the Atyeo and Williams will have some pre-match entertainment.............the Atyeo goading the away fans and the Williams berating E and F block for making too much noise

And watching the Dolman trying to enter and exit must be worth the ticket price alone.

Seriously, at least the club has taken some points on board and altered things lightly. I expect after the first league match or two, one afternoon and one evening, things will be reviewed and adjusted again. Perhaps if the problems don't arise other stands will be allowed to return to the bar.

[Cider red]

As a result of consultation with supporters we've had another look at this.

 

For a trial period, admission to the Dolman Exhibition Hall (DEH)  will be for Dolman stand ticket holders (ST and matchday) only.

 

Dolman ticket holders will be able to access the DEH via the turnstiles from 12 noon on a Saturday and then go into the DEH. There will be no admission to the rest of the stand until 1.30. As before, access to the DEH will be limited according to it's allowed capacity under the terms of the safety certificate. (Currently 1100, but this could change as the building work progresses).

 

Once you are in the DEH, you will now be able to access the main stand before kick off via the corridor by the toilets at the Atyeo end. We are also putting in a door through to the stand at the other end of the DEH to allow access to the stand at the southern end, but it's possible this won't be done by the first game.  As you will already have come in through a turnstile, there will be no need to show any pass or ticket. This will do away with the need to leave the DEH through the rear door and come back in through the turnstiles. This will help to ease congestion at the turnstiles in the key half hour period before kick off.

 

You will still be able to go out for a smoke if necessary through the doors at the rear, but there will be no general access to the DEH through the rear doors.

 

Unfortunately this means that Williams and Atyeo ticket holders will no longer be able to use the DEH before the game. We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause some supporters. Our general advice to supporters in the Dolman stand remains to get there as early as you can.

 

As before, we ask you for your patience and understanding over the next two years. There will be lots of changes that will present problems for all of us, and we will continue to do our best to work with fans to find the best solution for the most number of people.

 

This information will be sent out to all supporters in the next week.

 

Well done Dave L and the club, common sense prevails. The Williams and Atyeo ST holders and fans can get a beer/cider in their stands anyway, plus most people drink in the pubs before and after the game I would imagine.

[marmite]

Lets remember that the club are trying to improve the stadium as a whole and this cannot be done overnight. OK some people cannot have a drink in the DEH next season now but is that really such a problem? Some people will have to arrive a little earlier than usual but is that really such a problem? Many people, including myself, will have to move seats and stands over the next 2 years, is that really such a problem? We will all have to make sacrifices for long term benefit so lets help the club during the redevelopment not hinder it. Lets remember we are here to support the team on the pitch in the first instance. Drinking and socialising are really just a side issue of that. I say well done Dave L for throwing this out there and listening and acting on the response. Lets us fans do our best to help the club achieve its aims.

[Drew Peacock]

Yes, well done.  Good step forward.

 

How many are there usually in the DEH?

[RegC]

Well done BCFC and DaveL. Common sense wins and City show they listen. Today is a good day! (Now I need to just wander over in a mo for our Oxford tickets COYR!!!)

[bristolcitysweden]

Dave for Mayor

[Lack of Action Man]

Well done Dave L and the club, common sense prevails. The Williams and Atyeo ST holders and fans can get a beer/cider in their stands anyway, plus most people drink in the pubs before and after the game I would imagine.

 

Where can I get a beer in the Williams? The kiosks on the ground floor only sell hot drinks, pop and pies.

I'm not a Premier Club member, so don't have use of those facilities. Have I missed something?

[Bristol Rob]

One thing that could be useful, would be if the club told the security staff what has been agreed. And then maybe told them again. And then a third time, just to be on the safe side.

That way, we can then all have a good laugh about the pay on the day customers who haven't been allowed entry to the DEH and aren't allowed in to the stand and have to stand by the Bovril Box (or whatever the hot drink kiosk is called) in the rain for 90 minutes. Without the need to blame the club.

[sodburyred]

Did you consult any fans in the Atyeo or Williams?

 

Pretty dissapointed by this Tbh.

 

 

thats the problem, whatever the club does they can't win here,

 

Agree with both of these. Disappointed I won't be allowed in my pre drink bar but then what are the club supposed to do.

 

I wonder if there's a way all stand fans could be allowed in but only Dolman stand ticket holders can go through into the corridor at the Atyeo end. As there is toilets at both ends. Could have a steward(s) checking tickets at the door then, to save there being a bottle neck at the exit just past the toilets? Wouldn't be hard to put a big sign up above the door saying "Dolman season card holders only please use other toilets"