Manic Loop
Mar 8 2002, 01:23 PM
Spurs vice-chairman David Buchler has hinted at a move away from White Hart Lane unless the transport links around the stadium are rebuilt.
Buchler has revealed that contingency plans have already been made to build a new stadium, despite having received planning permission from Haringey Council to extend the East Stand by 8,000 seats and rebuild the West Stand to reach a capacity of between 50,000 and 60,000.
However, there are fears that the existing local transport infrastructure could not cope with the possible influx of a further 20,000 fans in its current state.
There is a lack of parking around the ground, the closest tube station, Seven Sisters, is a 30-minute walk from the stadium and the mainline station, White Hart Lane, is constantly overcrowded due to the volume of supporters using it.
Buchler is desperate that Spurs are not left behind by rivals Arsenal, who are expected to move to their new 60,000 Ashburton Grove site in time for the 2004-05 season.
He told the Evening Standard: "We won't stay here unless Government and the local authority invest in the infrastructure of Tottenham and the local area.
"The traffic is abominable. You can't park, trains get cancelled, the station gets closed, buses don't run - all these problems happen at some time because there has been an under-investment here, one of the lowest of any area of London."
Buchler has revealed that contingency plans have already been made to build a new stadium, despite having received planning permission from Haringey Council to extend the East Stand by 8,000 seats and rebuild the West Stand to reach a capacity of between 50,000 and 60,000.
However, there are fears that the existing local transport infrastructure could not cope with the possible influx of a further 20,000 fans in its current state.
There is a lack of parking around the ground, the closest tube station, Seven Sisters, is a 30-minute walk from the stadium and the mainline station, White Hart Lane, is constantly overcrowded due to the volume of supporters using it.
Buchler is desperate that Spurs are not left behind by rivals Arsenal, who are expected to move to their new 60,000 Ashburton Grove site in time for the 2004-05 season.
He told the Evening Standard: "We won't stay here unless Government and the local authority invest in the infrastructure of Tottenham and the local area.
"The traffic is abominable. You can't park, trains get cancelled, the station gets closed, buses don't run - all these problems happen at some time because there has been an under-investment here, one of the lowest of any area of London."