Questions I have been asked since running this web page.
Please feel free to update me with changes, updates or errors with this information.
Q1 How far is the train station from the arena ?
Q2 Can tickets for away fans be bought on the day ?
Q5 Can we park in the streets around the stadium.
Q6 Typically what car park charges apply ?
Q7 What Pubs around the stadium except away fans ?
Q1 How far is the train station from the arena ?
Answer. The arena is about 4 miles from the train station. No direct bus goes from the station to the arena so you will either need to take a taxi (£10) or make your way by special bus (£3 return) from Pool Meadow bus station in the town centre. The bus station is about a mile walk from the station through the main shopping centre. Buses do run from the station to Pool Meadow bus station. ( Official Link )
Q2 Can tickets for away fans be bought on the day ?
Answer. The answer is yes and they are normally bought on the turnstile, however some away clubs (Millwall comes to mind) have requested that club membership needs to be shown first at the turnstile before a ticket can be purchased.
Q3 The Park and Ride facility at BBS in Bayton Road was closed last time we tried to use it even though the official website shows it on the map.
Answer. This facility has now been closed for several weeks with no explanation. We continually have people arrive at our car park with no alternative. We will normally run people down to the ground who have disabilities at no extra charge. However this is subject to staff availability and you may have to wait for a convenient break in car park marshalling activities. The Jaguar park and ride site is still available from the South of Coventry.
Q4 I need to get away from the Arena as soon as possible and onto the M6, can you advise on traffic in the area so I can pick my car park.
Answer. Currently car parks at the stadium are physically blocked for about half and hour after the game to allow pedestrians to get away. This has been extended to some of the roads adjacent to the arena that feed into the bus parking area (Rowley's Green Road). Several other car parks (Makro, Tesco etc) that require you to feed onto the main arena island first before heading for the M6 J3 are all blocked by people leaving the ground crossing over the road and heavy traffic. The lights on the main M6 J3 island create substantial traffic queues back to the arena. This leaves car parks along the A4113 (Coventry/Foleshill Road) which have the advantage (currently) of a straight flow of traffic back onto the M6 due to very little traffic coming around the M6 J3 island down to the stadium. The car parks up to Longford Village have the advantage of using the relatively quiet Oban Road or Wilsons Lane to get to the stadium at the expense of a walk of about ¾ mile. Once into Longford your walk can reduce to about ½ mile, although this is either along the canal path or across an open space that can get flooded and muddy underfoot at certain times of the year. When dark these routes are unlit although locals do take torches. Using Oban road is an option from here but the walk increases to about ¾ mile. The other side of Longford, Blackburn Road, down towards the rear of Tesco's and along to the fire station all have to access the Arena via the back of Tesco's. An average walk of between ½ and ¾ mile which can get heavily congested with people on exit from the stadium. On heading back to the M6 there is a small delay of traffic at the island at the end of the Foleshill Road whilst traffic exits the McDonnell Drive Car park. Official Ricoh car park information can be found here.
Q5 Can we park in the streets around the stadium.
Answer. Most definitely NO. On match days all the roads within 2 km (about 1½ miles) have restrictions and these are rigorously enforced by an army of traffic wardens. People have even tried to park on the dual carriageway between the M6 and the stadium (Wolves). Needless to say the traffic wardens were in a frenzy.
Q6 Typically what car park charges apply?
Answer. The car parks at the stadium charge £7 but are all taken. Official Park and Ride sites (only Jaguar open at the moment) are also £7 and that includes the bus to and from the stadium. Official Park and Walk sites charge £5 and operate a strange system if you arrive on the day. You need to obtain a ticket at the car park and then take it to the stadium ticket office to pay and have it stamped. On return to the car park you can then get out. Unofficial car parks tend to undercut the official car parks and charge £4.
Q7 What Pubs around the stadium except away fans?
Answer. This information changes from week to week so any updates would be appreciated. To eventually include all pubs within 1 mile of the stadium.
Black Horse Pub, Exhall Currently accepts Couples and Families of both Home and away fans. Has food available served from a batch bar out front. Batches also available inside and Sky TV and a pool table are on hand. Excellent garden area ideal for warmer weather and is proving popular with both sets of fans due to it's friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Longford Engine, Longford Home fans only although couples and families of away fans will be accepted if they appear neutral. Good selection of food available as is Sky TV and a pool table. Cash machine available inside.
Rowleys Green Social Club. (Unknown Status)
The Bull and Anchor - Hungry Horse. (Unknown Status)
The Hub. (Unknown Status)
Coach and Horses, Longford. (Unknown Status)
The New Parkgate Hotel. (Unknown Status)
Q8 I need to pick my tickets up from the Corley service station. I am coming on the M6 from the South.
Answer.
TO BE EXPANDED
