The link clearly states that the Emirates stadium is very easy and fast to get to in comfort and easy to get away from. The 27 rapid-transit platforms around the stadium is the key to filling a 60,000 stadium every game for over 6 years. That level of attendance is unprecedented in the world for any new stadia. During this time Arsenal have won nothing. So they were not clambering to get to the Emirates because of a successful club that won trophies, that is clear. The rapid-transit stations around the Emirates is phenomenal.
Spurs viewing the key to Arsenal's success were super eager to get hold of the Olympic stadium. Spurs wanted to:
- Pull down the stadium.
- Build a smaller football dedicated stadium, with corporate facilities, on its site.
- Build another stadium in Crystal Palace for athletics.
Just to get that site.
Why were Spurs prepared to spend an amazing amount of money in 1 to 3 above? Because of the rapid-transit rail links, Crossrail, etc, at Stratford, that would guarantee stadia success.
The key to the Arsenal success has not gone unnoticed by many - Spurs saw it. Many in Liverpool are wanting the two clubs and the city to get together to adopt the same Arsenal approach. Liverpool has Merseyrail, a smaller version of the London Underground, complete with redundant mothballed trackbed and tunnels. So emulating Arsenal is easy. The North Liverpool Extension line was to be a part of Merseyrail in the 1970s, however Thatcher stopped all that from materializing. She got in power at the end of Merseyrail project and it was shelved due to budget. This line was to form the eastern section of a city-wide Merseyrail loop. The city is still waiting for the full loop with large parts of north east and south east sections of the city not served by Merseyrail rapid-transit.
This line is still there complete with bridges and is easy to merge into Merseyrail. A 100 metre stretch has half the width of the track built on by a Sainsbury's access road, but that is no show stopper.
The North Liverpool Extension line reused or the used Canada Dock freight line, which is to be electrified soon, and used for passengers again, are the obvious lines to serve two large stadia. The stadia can be miles apart on the lines. Completing the full Outer Loop of the city is best approach. This can run into the airport when a line is run into the terminal eventually.
Having the stadia on rapid-transit with comprehensive connections and park & ride, would reduce the nuisance value of these structures.
The opportunity must not be lost to combine all parties for the greater good of the football clubs and the community to create economic growth. A newly opened rapid-transit rail line on the Merseyrail metro opened to passengers may serve:
- Many districts in the city
- Wider Merseyside
- Everton FC
- Liverpool FC
- The Kings Dock Arena
The city has to get it right as these stadia will be around for 100 years or more. Do it wrong and two white elephants may emerge. All the ingredients are there to guarantee success all around. It needs knocking heads together from many parties to get it done.
All in all a win, win all around. The case for it is overwhelming.
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The abundance of stations around the Emirates gives 27 rapid-transit platforms.