PRIDE PARK, PERFECT?

Businesses in Derby may be asked to help contribute towards a £26m extension to Pride Park Stadium as part of the city's World Cup bid. Derby is bidding to become one of 12 host cities as England bids to stage the 2018 World Cup. Capacity at Derby County's stadium would need to increase from 33,500 to 45,000 to meet FA criteria. The city council will discuss the proposals at a meeting of full council and will look at proposals to charge firms an extra levy to help fund the development.

Adam Wilkinson, chief executive of the city council, said, "We have looked at various options and calculated some possible ways of finding the money we need to fund the World Cup in Derby. These are significant figures and may cause some concern both to businesses and residents but we believe the economic benefits to Derby far outweigh the costs. This is a huge opportunity that we need to grasp, the recommendations set out how we propose to move forward."

Proposal for the extension would include some temporary and permanent seating, which would leave the stadium with a capacity of between 35,000 and 38,000 after the event. Labour city councillor Chris Williamson said, "We're very much in favour of the World Cup being hosted in Derby. I think it will bring huge benefits to the city both in terms of really putting Derby on the map and generating new investment and job opportunities." (Source: BBC News, Nov/09)

Derby Pride Park is perfect, according to John Blount, chairman of one site owner, Ivygrove Developments. While there are positive elements to celebrate in terms of broadening the city's economic base, Mr Blount displays a remarkable level of ignorance regarding what the area is like as a place of work. Going to the pub, a fitness centre and car dealership seems to be the extent of his vision. He, along with the city planning authorities should try spending a little more time there. Try doing something other than going to the pub or buying a car at lunchtime. Buy a newspaper, perhaps, or take a walk. Of course, particular care should be taken at the numerous roundabouts - pedestrian crossings are not high on the agenda. A break in the working day in open and pleasant surroundings can be positive and reviving - a definite economic benefit to companies.

If only there was something positive and reviving about the place. While the council celebrates the ease with which you can buy a car, or cut through from different directions in Pride Park, the City Council is enforcing Government edicts to reduce the use of car transport. The council's approach is not a positive and enlightened attitude encouraging people to change their travelling habits. It simply refuses to approve developments where they consider parking provision is too generous. Their defence is the 'park and ride' scheme. But the scheme is remote and doesn't provide public transport to other parts of the site. If you want walk to Pride Park, there are no direct routes to different parts of the site, you have to follow the main roads. This is fine in a car, but not much fun in the rain. As for public transport, we are told that there are 'regular' services throughout the day.

All you have to do is stand at a post, marked Bus Stop, and wait. If it's cold and raining, just hope the bus will arrive soon. While other cities are implementing real time information systems and proper bus shelters along bus routes, Derby still hasn't progressed beyond a post in the ground. There's more to a business than its location. People are the lifeblood of economic success, so how about making some provision for them - now. David Phillips