Liberal Democrats back Chiltern Local Party plans to change safety regulations at football stadiums

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 13th Sep 2008

The Liberal Democrat Autumn conference has backed proposals put forward by Chiltern Liberal Democrats to change regulations that currently prevent football stadiums from providing 'safe-standing' areas that meet stringent safety requirements.

The proposals recognise and seek to remedy safety problems that exist in all seater stadiums where, despite regulations, large numbers of fans regularly stand in areas designed for sitting only. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: "This is a sensitive issue. But we cannot ignore the large numbers of fans who want to stand, and are doing so in seating areas, despite the existing regulations and the danger it causes.

"Given the seeming impossibility of policing existing regulations and recognising that some passionate fans want to be able to jump up and down when watching their teams each week then we need to look at technologies that allow them to do that safely.

"Football has taken enormous steps forward in recent years with more diverse fans, improved stadium designs and better policing. These proposals would in no way seek to undermine any of that progress and would only allow future ground developments that meet the most stringent safety requirements.

"But if some fans want to stand and clubs want to let them, then we should at least explore safe ways of achieving it."

Local Chiltern Councillor Peter Jones who put forward the motion for debate said " I have made it clear that our motion intended to show respect to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy. No way are we going back to the conditions that existed before the Taylor Report. We are not calling for the re-introduction of old style terraces. I think all-seater stadiums are here to stay. But just being allowed to stand up safely in front of my seat doesn't seem to be much to ask!"