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Portsmouth MP ramps up efforts to improve infrastructure links to Fratton Park

By 5 August 2022September 6th, 2022No Comments

Stephen Morgan MP has ramped up efforts to bring decision-makers together to develop, agree and build a new footbridge from Fratton Station to Fratton Park.

In his latest intervention on the proposals, the Portsmouth MP met with Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) and local landowners for a walk around the site of potential routes to build a footbridge from the train station and into the Pompey Centre.

PFC has been developing the North stand and is keen to regenerate the area to the north of Fratton Park, which would include redevelopment of the Pompey Centre, recognised in Portsmouth City Council’s (PCC) draft local plan.

Prior to the announcement of these plans, there are ongoing concerns over how busy Goldsmith Avenue can be for pedestrians, particularly on matchdays, and a desire to encourage fans to park and ride to games via train to reduce congestion on our city’s roads.

Mr Morgan has long supported the club with its idea of a pedestrian walkway direct from Fratton station to the Pompey Centre to ease congestion and has been working with others to help unlock investment and improve pedestrian safety.

The MP has set up a regular forum to bring decision-makers together, chaired by Mr Morgan, with involvement from PFC, Network Rail, landowners and the city council. The forum is meeting quarterly to keep an eye on progress being made and identify problems.

The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan MP, said:

“Our football club’s success is our city’s success, and I will always do what I can as MP to help the Club fulfil its ambitions and to bring benefits to fans and to Portsmouth.

“It was really useful to meet with landowners on site with the Club’s representatives to look at options for the pedestrian walkway, and agree next steps to ensure these plans become a reality.

“Key decision-makers must play their part in this, and I will continue to do all I can to make sure that happens.”

The onsite visit included M7 which owns some of the land at the Pompey Centre. A range of actions from the meeting have been agreed which includes following up with Network Rail.