Train strike set to hit next weekend’s city showpiece
THE Football Association has urged fans planning to travel to Leicester by train for the traditional seasonopening showpiece to rethink their plans, with the rail network set to be paralysed by strikes.
The King Power Stadium was chosen for this season’s Community Shield, to be contested by Liverpool and Manchester City next weekend, with Wembley being used for the final of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
Premier League champions Manchester City are due to meet FA Cup winners Liverpool on Saturday, July 30 – when train drivers from eight companies are staging a 24-hour walk-out over pay.
An FA spokesman said: “The FA is aware of planned industrial action across the rail network on Saturday, July 30.
“We are working closely with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and train operating companies to understand the impact on the FA Community Shield in Leicester and any contingency options that can be deployed.
“However, our information shows that the majority of spectators for this fixture are expected to travel by road and there is sufficient capacity to accommodate both coaches and private vehicles.
“We would advise anyone planning on using the rail network seek alternative arrangements.”
The FA has created two large coach parks in Leicester to accommodate both supporters’ buses and private vehicles, although spaces must be booked online in advance, and an accessible shuttle bus service to and from the stadium for fans with reduced mobility will operate from both.
Public transport from the city centre to the King Power will also be in operation.
The Community Shield is not the only sporting event to be affected by the strike, which involves train drivto ers from Arriva Rail London, Chiltern Railways, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
The Commonwealth Games get under way in Birmingham on July 28, while any hangover from the July 30 walk-out could cause problems for spectators travelling to the Euro 2022 final the next day.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston has expressed his disappointment at the anticipated disruption.
He said: “It’s hugely disappointing that unions have decided to strike during a fantastic summer of sport which has been in the planning for years.
“This could hugely impact the spectator experience for those planning to travel by train.
“The strike action comes at a critical stage of the Women’s Euros and the start of the Commonwealth Games.
“We are working with the FA, Birmingham Commonwealth Games organisers, local councils and transport providers to make sure spectators can get to and from venues safely and efficiently.”
COMMUNITY SHIELD AMONG SPORTING EVENTS SET TO SUFFER