New pitch?

[Shepperton Supporter]

Agree we don’t know all the details but would think it might have been feasible to use the existing four corner positions. Tha lamps could be positioned to cover their quarter of the pitch.
By removing the mid pitch pylons you allow additional space for future development.
Perhaps we might get further information soon?

[Jamie]

It's a bit bizarre isn't it.

Like the recent crash barriers added along the main terracing, there are no gaps to walk between them, for really long periods.
Also nuts and bolts holding them together.
I've never seen this style at any other ground, they are always welded together, and you have short sections with breaks to walk between.

Very weird, anyone else notice it?

[Lord Elpus]

It's a bit bizarre isn't it.

Like the recent crash barriers added along the main terracing, there are no gaps to walk between them, for really long periods.
Also nuts and bolts holding them together.
I've never seen this style at any other ground, they are always welded together, and you have short sections with breaks to walk between.

Very weird, anyone else notice it?

Yes, the layout struck me as being a bit odd to say.the leasr. I just assumed it was a Richmond Council health and safety requirement or something.

[Shepperton Supporter]

There might be some floodlights and other equipment going cheap at Staines!

[Jamie]

It's a bit bizarre isn't it.

Like the recent crash barriers added along the main terracing, there are no gaps to walk between them, for really long periods.
Also nuts and bolts holding them together.
I've never seen this style at any other ground, they are always welded together, and you have short sections with breaks to walk between.

Very weird, anyone else notice it?

Yes, the layout struck me as being a bit odd to say.the leasr. I just assumed it was a Richmond Council health and safety requirement or something.

Well as I've never seen it before or since, was it done by a contractor who doesn't usually do sports stadia? It's very odd.

[Tony]

I suspect a combination of planning ease and the additional cost that would be incurred if we went to a "four corners" solution. By that i mean needing to run power to the corners and creating new base for pylons but I'm no expert on these things.

An update on this. The issue of moving floodlights to the four corners is one of increased height needed for pylons so that the pitch is fully covered and the increase in light pollution which occur as a result. This might impact on the ability to get planning. The club spoke to a number of specialists and all advised to go with the existing eight pylon strategy. Hope this tidies up the matter.

[Jamie]

I suspect a combination of planning ease and the additional cost that would be incurred if we went to a "four corners" solution. By that i mean needing to run power to the corners and creating new base for pylons but I'm no expert on these things.

An update on this. The issue of moving floodlights to the four corners is one of increased height needed for pylons so that the pitch is fully covered and the increase in light pollution which occur as a result. This might impact on the ability to get planning. The club spoke to a number of specialists and all advised to go with the existing eight pylon strategy. Hope this tidies up the matter.

Thanks for asking the questions and feeding back Tony.
On modern sports lighting, light pollution is much improved as use LEDs and other forms rather than traditional bulbs, so wouldn't it be better to look much further into this.
As others have said, by not having the two additional pylons down the side of the pitch, would surely allow for ease of further developments in the future, like a new main stand etc.
It seems every upgrade done at the ground in the last 20 years seems to be what is easiest now, rather than thinking of future and ongoing plans.

[Tony]

As I said, the club took the best advice and followed that. It’s not going to start the process again, it’s been more than tortuous getting to this stage. The planning requirements have been less than straightforward.