More than 1,100 letters backing Bristol Rovers' proposed £40m stadium at Frenchay have been received by South Gloucestershire Council.
The 20,000-seater stadium, which would also include a club shop, conference and teaching space as well as a jogging track and gym, would be a joint venture with the University of the West of England (UWE). The move would be financed in part by the sale of Rover's Memorial Stadium in Horfield to Sainsbury’s.
However, Stoke Gifford Parish Council has joined 100 local residents in registering an objection to the proposal, pointing to the potential for traffic issues on the ring road, which passes the stadium, which League 2 club Rovers want to be in by the start of the 2014/15 season.
The council said: "In view of significant concerns raised by residents regarding this planning application, the council will be objecting on the grounds of traffic and transportation issues. The proposed site would be situated in the middle of a residential area and the existing infrastructure already suffers from congestion in and around the A4174.
"The proposals would inevitably lead to congestion and parking issues which would significantly impact on local residents living nearby and neighbouring areas."
A transport document prepared for the stadium application suggests more supporters would walk or cycle to the stadium "with a subsequent reduction in the number of car journeys". The club said it would also provide shuttle buses from nearby railway stations at Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway, concluding that there would be a "negligible negative impact" on traffic.
