The first British Club to have safe standing 29,000 Stadium

Posted by The FSF 28th June 2013
Bristol City propose ‘rail seats’ at Ashton Gate


Bristol City could become the first club in Britain to incorporate safe standing rail seat areas into their ground if a proposed £40m development of Ashton Gate goes ahead (rail seats take up the lower tier in the above image).


The club have launched a public consultation over plans to redevelop their ground into a multi-purpose stadium for use by Bristol City and Bristol Rugby Club. If the plans are approved and the proposed timetable met, rail seats could be installed by August 2015.

Bristol Sport, the parent company who own the football and rugby club, have set aside 3,152 rail seat spaces in the Dolman Stand and Wedlock Stand. Once completed Ashton Gate will hold 26,500 in all-seater mode and up to 29,000 with standing in rail seat areas.

However, only Bristol Rugby Club are able to offer the rail seats in standing mode as current legislation forces clubs in the top two divisions to offer all-seater stadiums.

While Bristol City currently sit in the third tier, where standing accommodation is still allowed, league rules dictate that redevelopments or new builds must offer all-seater accommodation.

The inconsistent, illogical nature of current legislation is perfectly highlighted here – the authorities are perfectly happy to allow standing in rail seated areas, so long as the ball is oval, not round– but this shouldn’t detract from Bristol City’s proposals.

The club announced their support for the FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign in October 2012 and will lobby for approval to use Ashton Gate as a safe standing trial venue for football.

The Football League recently approved a motion at its annual general meeting allowing clubs to “explore” safe standing trials.

Ashton Gate development director Guy Price said: “Since the announcement earlier this year, we have consulted widely with our supporters, many interested parties and our neighbours.

“We are now ready to present the proposals to the public and I encourage everybody to use this opportunity to give us your comments and feedback.”

The redevelopment plans for Ashton Gate run alongside another proposal to build a new ground at nearby Ashton Vale. An inquiry into those plans opens in October.



See rail seats in the Wedlock Stand here...
Dolman Stand rail seat plans can be seen here...

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Who would want to support them

Wouldn't mind safe standing at ours to be honest though

I know a lot of people stand at seated grounds but the sooner they bring back standing areas the better.when grounds went all seater the atmosphere went as well imo.

Why would they do it. They can't fill their seats let alone making the capacity more.

Good to hear clubs making moves.

20000 empty safe standing spots.
Hope it gets the ok though.

here we bloody go....

1. Cardiff fans push for redevelopment to include safe standing area
2. Cardiff City FC state they'll add a safe standing section
3. Safe Standing section is put in place and is red - blue seats ripped out
4. Cardiff fans scream uproar and murder and identity theft
5. Cardiff City FC statement says 'we gave you what you wanted, a standing area, and the red area will be for Malaysian fans who are poorer and can only afford to stand and not sit'.

It would be good if a section of the canton stand was safe standing.

There are seats why would you want to stand , you 've paid for a seat!!!

I've only ever sat in my seat before a game if I'm early apart from that my seat is just where I stand always has been!I hate sitting at a game it's all about standing for me!if I HAD to sit every game it would take a massive part away from me!Bring back standing I say!

I heard a rumour that we have the canton as standing

I dont think the trial involves premier league, only football league. Wonder if Corky could shed any light?

We do have a couple ailes of safe standing in canton, i thought it was allowed in singing section?

All they need now is 29,000 fans

Posted by The FSF 28th June 2013
Bristol City propose ‘rail seats’ at Ashton Gate


Bristol City could become the first club in Britain to incorporate safe standing rail seat areas into their ground if a proposed £40m development of Ashton Gate goes ahead (rail seats take up the lower tier in the above image).


The club have launched a public consultation over plans to redevelop their ground into a multi-purpose stadium for use by Bristol City and Bristol Rugby Club. If the plans are approved and the proposed timetable met, rail seats could be installed by August 2015.

Bristol Sport, the parent company who own the football and rugby club, have set aside 3,152 rail seat spaces in the Dolman Stand and Wedlock Stand. Once completed Ashton Gate will hold 26,500 in all-seater mode and up to 29,000 with standing in rail seat areas.

However, only Bristol Rugby Club are able to offer the rail seats in standing mode as current legislation forces clubs in the top two divisions to offer all-seater stadiums.

While Bristol City currently sit in the third tier, where standing accommodation is still allowed, league rules dictate that redevelopments or new builds must offer all-seater accommodation.

The inconsistent, illogical nature of current legislation is perfectly highlighted here – the authorities are perfectly happy to allow standing in rail seated areas, so long as the ball is oval, not round– but this shouldn’t detract from Bristol City’s proposals.

The club announced their support for the FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign in October 2012 and will lobby for approval to use Ashton Gate as a safe standing trial venue for football.

The Football League recently approved a motion at its annual general meeting allowing clubs to “explore” safe standing trials.

Ashton Gate development director Guy Price said: “Since the announcement earlier this year, we have consulted widely with our supporters, many interested parties and our neighbours.

“We are now ready to present the proposals to the public and I encourage everybody to use this opportunity to give us your comments and feedback.”

The redevelopment plans for Ashton Gate run alongside another proposal to build a new ground at nearby Ashton Vale. An inquiry into those plans opens in October.



See rail seats in the Wedlock Stand here...
Dolman Stand rail seat plans can be seen here...

only way they'll get any positive press with both us and the jacks in the prem - they have to be special in some way - lurve em!

Well done to them!

It'll never happen.

They'll be swapping places with Rovers shortly who will prosper with their new ground