Tube strike gives England fans a stark choice: long walk - or a refund

England’s World Cup match at Wembley tomorrow night risks descending into farce after ticket-holders were warned they face several hours of transport misery or a long walk home.
The Football Association have confirmed that England's tie against Andorra will be open to supporters despite a planned strike on the London Underground, but there will be no extra buses or trains to assist 70,000 spectators trying to get home.
“We are advised that no additional transport will be available on the evening and trains will not be stopping at the Wembley Overground station,” said Ian Whatmore, the chief executive of the FA.
“Given the strike, the journey home will be difficult, and supporters should make their own arrangements and not rely on public transport.”
Nobody without pre-paid permits will be able to park within two miles of the ground and, with options severely limited, an FA spokesman said: “If they lived locally, I suppose they could walk home.”
The FA is set to lose tens of thousands of pounds after announcing this afternoon that refunds would be available to supporters unwilling to risk travelling to the game.
Officials held talks with the Metropolitan Police and the local council this morning where they considered the worst-case scenario of having to close the stadium to all spectators.
Mr Whatmore said: "The match will kick-off at 8.15pm as planned. But it will not, I repeat not be played behind closed doors. Supporters should be prepared to travel as early as possible to avoid disruption.
“We are obviously disappointed that our supporters are going to be inconvenienced in this way.”
London will be beset by traffic problems for 48 hours because of a strike, which is due to begin at 6.59pm this evening. The London Underground and the RMT union were holding last-ditch talks to avert the action this afternoon.
Asked if the union would take into account the plight of the football supporters, an RMT spokesman said: “It’s not a consideration. I mean what’s next? There’s Michael Jackson or Britney Spears at the O2? There’s always something happening in London for Christ’s sake. The concern of the RMT is reaching a settlement.”
The FA took the decision last week to halt ticket sales and asked Brent Council for help with additional parking, but that suggestion was rebuffed.
Transport for London have put in place some contingency plans to help commuters in the rest of the capital getting to and from work, including extra buses, taxi-sharing and schemes to lead cyclists across the capital, but it is unclear what they could do to help people home from the football.
Around 100 extra buses will run during the day but it is not thought any will be re-routed to help disperse the crowd.
A spokesman Metropolitan Police would not disclose whether any additional officers would be employed to help but said: “We have an appropriate policing plan in place. Whether the match is played behind closed doors is a matter for the FA.”
Source:The times