Travel plans for 2012/13 season

PARKING

There is no on-site parking for supporters at Sandy Park Stadium on match days. However, the Chiefs have worked very hard to produce a transport strategy which enables supporters, both home and away, to gain easy access to the stadium.

For supporters travelling to games by car, parking is available at either the nearby Crealy Adventure Park or Westpoint Arena at a cost of £5 per vehicle and includes a free, regular shuttle service for occupants to and from the stadium, both before and after the game has been played. All car parks will be signposted clearly from Junction 30 on the M5.

CAR PARK & TAXI DROP-OFF POINT

There is a drop off point at the stadium complex from the A379 for taxis and those being transported by friends and relatives before kick-off to matches. Supporters, however, are reminded that there is no vehicular access (apart from approved buses) onto the Sandy Park site for one hour following the final whistle.

Club officials would like to remind everyone that you must not drop off or pick up on the slip road leading into Sandy Park and in particular the main A379 road below as it is illegal and very dangerous.

Members of the David Lloyd Leisure Centre, who wish to use the centre on match days, will still be able to go about their business, but membership cards will need to be produced on request by stewards.

TRAIN

The Exeter to Exmouth railway line runs right past the stadium with a regular service on match days. Using the bridge over the A379, Digby & Sowton Station is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Sandy Park.

Supporters who are attending any games by First Great Western Trains are able to claim a 10% discount on their rail ticket, providing they produce their match ticket when purchasing.

First Great Western have set up a number of match day special trains and anyone wishing to find out more should visit their official website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk In addition you can use their text feature which shows up to date train departures from their stations. If you text DIG or EXD (for Digby and St Davids respectively) to 84950 you will get an answer showing the next five or six departures with their expected times

Supporters can also call 08457 48 49 50 to get an update on train times

BUS

There are three match-day specials which operate three hours before kick-off and for three hours after the final whistle

The No 77, which is run by Dartline Coaches, starts in Alphington at Chantry Meadows and picks up at Cowick Lane, Cowick Street (First & Last), Fore Street (BHS), Topsham Road (County Hall) to Sandy Park. Buses run every 20 minutes. Please visit the Dartline website for more details www.dartline-coaches.co.uk

The No 78, also run by Dartline coaches, starts at Exeter St Davids Station and picks up at the following destinatons en route to Sandy Park: City Centre, Blackboy Road, Pinhoe Road, Sainsburys Pinhoe, Monkerton Link Road and Sowton Industrial Estate before arriving at Sandy Park.

The C bus, which is run by Stagecoach, starts at Exeter St Davids Station and picks up at Exeter Bus Station, Heavitree (Co-Op) to Sandy Park and will run every 15 minutes.

Stagecoach offer an Exeter dayrider ticket for only £3.50 which allows unlimited travel on all of their city buses and opens the C bus service up to far more of our supporters giving extra value and flexibility. Please visit the Stagecoach website for more details www.stagecoachbus.com

For up to the minute match-day timetable information, visit www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx

In addition for those travelling from further afield, Stagecoach offer an explorer ticket for only £6.90 adult, £4 per child for unlimited travel on their entire network of buses, again visit wwww.stagecoachbus.com for more details

ACCOMMODATION

Although there is no accommodation available at Sandy Park we do work closely with the local tourism board and also Devon Hotels, who can offer supporters a variety of different accommodation to stay in during their time here in the Westcountry. For more details, simply visit www.devonhotels.com

WALKING & CYCLING

Those wishing to travel to Sandy Park by foot or bicycle can access the stadium via the bridge over the A379 and via the rear of the complex from Old Rydon Lane. There are a number of bicycle racks on site to park bikes.

RESIDENT PARKING & CONTROLLED ZONES

The Chiefs would like to advise all supporters that there will be a controlled parking zone on all roads near to the stadium, including Clyst Heath and Rydon Lane allowing parking for residents only, who must display the appropriate pass. Anyone found parking in these areas without the appropriate pass will receive a parking ticket. The zones are clearly indicated and will be patrolled by traffic wardens. The Chiefs would like to ask all supporters to respect these controlled areas and think of the nearby residents at all times.

GETTING THERE EARLY & LEAVING LATER

In the transport strategy agreed with the local authorities it is essential that there is a even spread of supporters arriving and leaving the stadium. The Chiefs have arranged a range of entertainment to encourage supporters to arrive early and also leave later. Details will be made available in advance of a fixture via the club’s e-zine, local press and official website.

MATCH-DAY EXPERIENCE

The Chiefs have committed to providing their supporters with a complete match day experience starting when the gates open at noon right through into the early evening with the match itself being the highlight of the day.

The Chiefs have invested heavily in state of the art technology to add to the match-day experience, including the purchase of two giant screens inside the stadium. In addition each internal bar area will be provided with large drop-down screens to view previous Chiefs matches, Sky Sports or ESPN matches and internationals.

The facilities at the ground will provide ample bars and food outlets including the outside Piazza area at the rear of the Grandstand which will become a very popular area for meeting people before the game, again drink will be available in this area.

Please note that Sandy Park is a smoke-free zone stadium as well as in the bars. Plastic glasses are also only premitted in the outside areas.

Full details of each week’s entertainment will be sent to all supporters by way of ezine which is the Chiefs’ electronic newsletter and will be posted on the club’s website. If you do not already receive the ezine and would like to please log on to the Chiefs’ website at www.exeterchiefs.co.uk and register your email address.

Exeter Chiefs would like to actively support green initiatives and would therefore encourage all supporters to use public transport or if supporters do need to drive to encourage them to car share.