Press Release
Mayor offers to intervene to avert FA Cup transport crisis
16-4-2002 0186
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has written to Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the Football Association, in a bid to avert travel misery for Arsenal and Chelsea supporters travelling to the FA Cup Final in Cardiff on 4 May.
In his letter the Mayor offers to intervene in discussions with the train operators and road authorities with the aim of preventing a repeat of the travel chaos at last weekend's FA Cup semi-final between Fulham and Chelsea, whose supporters he notes 'had argued strongly for their match to be played in London rather than at Villa Park'.
The Mayor highlights the disruption of the Paddington to Cardiff rail service likely to be caused by maintenance work during FA Cup weekend and reminds Mr Crozier of problems faced by Arsenal supporters travelling to last year's Final.
'I know there were significant travel problems for Arsenal supporters despite many of them staggering their journeys as advised, albeit at considerable inconvenience and that supporters travelling by train were delayed for long periods after the match outside Cardiff station'.
The Mayor also suggests that these transport problems throw into doubt the possibility of a national stadium in the Midlands:
'I believe a different decision by the FA on the location of the semi-finals could have avoided the severe difficulties caused to London football fans. It also seems to me that the serious problems that occurred must throw into even further doubt the credibility of proposals for a largely car based national stadium in the Midlands'.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Further details are available from: Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071\ 07881 501 920, Catherine Mattison on 020 7983 4020\ 07957 340 795, Rebecca Miller on 020 7983 4068\ 07810 756 170
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000.
For general or non media enquiries, please contact the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4100
For media enquiries, please contact: Press Office, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4070
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