The train operator Southern has performed a u-turn saying that it will take thousands of fans to Falmer for Brighton and Hove Albion’s first home league fixture of the season.
Southern said earlier that it would not run any trains to Falmer after 5pm, saying “we cannot guarantee the safety of passengers and staff”.
The company has now said that trains will run every 10 minutes as football fans head to the Amex Stadium for the Albion match against Nottingham Forest this evening (Friday 12 August).
Earlier, the train company said: “Southern is operating its temporary revised timetable today. A reduced number of trains operate in this timetable, which includes the East Coastway between Brighton and Ashford International.
“As a result we cannot provide the usual number of trains for today’s Brighton and Hove Albion home game.
“We have been liaising with the British Transport Police and have jointly agreed that given the numbers of fans expected to attend the game, we cannot guarantee the safety of passengers and staff if we were to allow fans to travel by train to the game.
“This means that from 5pm until the end of service today no trains will call at Falmer Station and the station will be closed.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause but this decision has been taken in the best interests of those attending the game.
“Fans are advised to find alternative ways of getting to and from the match tonight.”
One fan said this afternoon: “It’s bad enough getting to games when the trains are running normally.
“Southern increasingly resembles an omnishambles of a company and the mixed messages today won’t help their reputation.
“I’m just hoping the match tonight makes all the hassle worthwhile.”
It’s amazing what a little subtle negotiation can achieve, innit? I’m guessing the phone call between the Albion’s legal eagle and Southern’s Head of Blah went “if you don’t want us to invoice you for every single empty seat in the stadium tonight, you’ll sort this sh!t out. Get a pen, I’ll give you my mobile number so you can let me know when you’ve done it.”
If only someone in the Department of Transport were so persuasive.