With the Hillsborough Act currently making its way through Parliament, imposing a new duty of candour on public servants, both in official inquiries and more broadly, it seems timely to focus on the safety aspects of the proposed new stadium.
It may seem incredible at this stage in the process, after years of discussion and with planning permission imminent, but there is still no sign of any comprehensive safety plan explaining how the stadium would be evacuated in the event of a major emergency.
Given the way the planned stadium would be squeezed onto the small site, options are scarce. Whilst it is entirely the responsibility of Oxford United to create a full, safe, publicly acceptable plan, after receiving expert advice FoSB believe that there is one vital aspect not yet acknowledged. To ensure the safety of fans then, without unplanned & hugely expensive infrastructure changes in the surrounding area, the main Oxford Road would need to be closed in that area before, after, and for the entire duration of U’s home matches. The same logic would apply to any other event at the site attracting sizable attendance.
The upshot is, no road closure = no major event. We question how the safety considerations would be balanced with the need for commercial returns from the massive investment this development requires, should it be approved.