COUNCILLORS were this week being urged to support a plan that might help to ease the traffic and parking congestion around Yeovil Town's Huish Park stadium on match days - the introduction of a park and ride scheme.

The newly-formed Football Liaison Committee - incorporating South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Town FC, the police and other interested parties - will be meeting for the first time on July 15 to look at ways of solving the traffic problems around the Glovers' stadium.

And members of the council's Area South committee were told yesterday that a possible answer could be to set up a park and ride facility from the authority's car park at Brympton Way.

It would mean that supporters would drive to the council car park at Brympton Way and then travel by bus to Huish Park.

The council's transport officer, Pam Williams, said that with the first meeting of the Football Liaison Committee on July 15 and with Yeovil Town's first home match of the new season on August 16, there was not long to get the scheme in place.

"Yeovil Town are actively seeking extra parking in close proximity to the ground and have approached businesses on the Houndstone Business Park following complaints from local residents," she said.

"The club have indicated that they would, in principle, welcome the use of the additional 270 spaces which the car park at Brympton Way could provide."

It has also been suggested that the more athletic supporters could park at Brympton Way and then walk to Huish Park - although that is unlikely to prove popular with it being uphill all the way to the ground.

Councillors were told that there would be a 'football special fare' from Brympton Way to use the bus service, although supporters would not be charged to leave their cars at the car park.

The Yeovil Express has received many letters from supporters with ideas on how to sort out the traffic and parking problems - but not many of them have suggested a park and ride scheme. One supporter phoned to suggest that a local bus company runs a service to transport fans from outlying villages into Huish Park.

All the letters will be passed on to the chairman of the council's Area South committee, Cllr Tony Fife, before the first meeting of the Football Liaison Committee on July 15.

If you would like to comment on the proposed park and ride scheme or with suggestions on how to ease the traffic problems around Huish Park then write to: Yeovil Express, 46 Princes Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1EQ or alternatively email stephen.sowden@countygazette.co.uk.