Middlesbrough train station will not be open to football fans

Fans leaving the Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia at the Riverside Stadium on 11 June will be prevented from catching a train home because of safety fears.

British Transport Police has asked Arriva to close Middlesbrough train station immediately after the game.

Arriva - who manage the station - agreed to the request because of police concerns there are not enough trains to cope with potential demand.

But they say they were not asked by British Transport Police to investigate the possibility of putting on extra services.

Fans who had expected to leave the town after the game at the Riverside Stadium by train are being told to make alternative arrangements.

We are taking this decision purely from a safety point of view Sergeant Nigel Ashworth

Sergeant Nigel Ashworth, from the British Transport Police, said police officers would be able to direct people to other means of transport and urged fans to make alternative arrangements.

Mr Ashworth said closure was the safest option and denied the decision had anything to do with concern about disorder among fans.

He said: "Due to the fact there are so few trains leaving Middlesbrough, we feel that there is a safety implication in that there will be a serious risk of overcrowding on the trains.

"There are also fears that there will be a severe risk of overcrowding on the platforms with people trying to get on the trains."

Good atmosphere

But Kevin Miles, international co-ordinator of the Football Supporters Federation, said he could not understand why the decision had been taken.

"I would have thought that the best way of creating a harmonious atmosphere at the football match is to make the whole occasion run as smoothly as possible for supporters.

"The more difficult people find it to get home after the game, the greater the frustrations are likely to be."

A spokeswoman for Arriva said they were "disappointed" the station would be closed to fans.

Passenger inconvenience

She said: "Clearly, British Transport Police have safety and security concerns as they have advised us that we need to close the station from 10pm.

"We do apologise for any inconvenience however the safety of our customers and employees is our main concern.

"British Transport Police have not asked us to investigate providing more services or additional capacity on the basis that they want the station closed for safety and security reasons."

A spokesman for the Football Association said the decision to close the station was "unfortunate" but said beyond their control.

He said: "Safety is paramount and this is clearly the responsibility of various agencies including the British Transport Police."