Plans for a new park-and-ride site to ferry football fans to Albion matches are being put before councillors this week.

Brighton and Hove City Council's environment committee is expected to agree part of Carden Avenue can be used when Seagulls play home matches at Withdean Stadium.

The authority has already insisted the club finds another park-and-ride site as a condition of accepting a bigger capacity at Withdean.

If Carden Avenue is chosen to take 200 cars, the road will have to be closed and traffic diverted along Crowhurst Road or Ditchling Road.

Some businesses in Carden Avenue and Crowhurst Road have raised objections, claiming the proposal will interfere with their activities.

At present there are two park-and-ride sites at Mill Road and Mithras House, off Lewes Road, but both are nearing capacity.

Police support the application and city council officials believe it is feasible to use Carden Avenue.

Environment director Jenny Rowlands said she felt Crowhurst Road would give adequate access to businesses in the area.

If councillors agree, traffic orders will be advertised to allow part of Carden Avenue to be used for park-and-ride from next season.

Meanwhile, Councillor Mike Middleton has told Albion it might be better to consider park-and-ride at Shoreham airport.

Coun Middleton, a football fan who is chairman of the airport committee, said there was plenty of space available.

He said: "Using the bypass, you would be able to get to the matches by bus in much the same time as it takes from Mithras House."

Monday March 10 2003