Colchester Travel

Colchester United v Hereford United
Saturday 6th December 2008 KO 3.00 pm.
Football League 1
Weston Homes Community Stadium
United Way
Colchester
CO4 5UP
Phone 01206 755100

A far cry from their old Layer Road ground; this is a recently built modern stadium in the Cuckoo Farm area of north Colchester. Largely funded by the local council, it cost in the region of £14 million and is all seated. Visiting fans are accommodated in the South Stand where a choice of admission prices are available. The centre block S3 offers seats for adults at £24 and seniors/U18's/disabled at £16 whereas blocks S2 and S4 (either side) are £22 and £15. However, block S1 (nearest the corner) is £20/£13. Block S5 (family) is the same as block S1 but also offers U16 at £8 and U11 at £5. There are reports that, once inside the ground, you can sit anywhere which can be a bit annoying if you've paid an extra £4 for a centre seat! It is understood that the usual food and drinks, including alcohol, are served on the concourse of the South Stand.

Coaches
HUISA - Departs Legends at 8.00 am. Fare £22. Bookings through Club office 08442 761939.
FUNBUS - Departs Legends at 8.30. Fare £17. Contact Young Ben on 07812 144831.

By Car
There appears to be a choice of routes. Routemaster (AA) suggests Oxford, M40, M25 (leave at J28) and A12 to Colchester with a distance of around 205 miles.

Alternatively, you can go via M5, M42, M6, A14, M11 (leave at J8), A120 (Sign Colchester) before joining the A12 to the ground. This is a distance of 215 miles and avoids a trip along the M25.

Leave the A12 at Junction 29, which is the intersection with the A1232 & A120. At the roundabout at the end of the slip road take the exit signposted A12 London & Colchester Business Park. Then take the first left into Severalls Industrial Estate and then left again into the Business Park. At the next roundabout turn right into the Crescent and at the next one, turn right into Severalls Lane. At the next roundabout turn left into Axial Way and then straight onto into United Way for the stadium.

In either case, you will need to allow upwards of four and a half hours. Postcode is CO4 5UP.

Parking. There are around 600 spaces at the ground but the cost is believed to be a staggering £10 per car. Colchester provide a free shuttle-bus service that operates from Bruff Close, which is close to Colchester North train station. However, their Official Site says you need to use the travel ticket attached to the matchday ticket and these are not available to HUFC fans as the Club have declined the offer to sell advance tickets. Edit... Catkincufc, a Colchester fan, has advised that tickets are not required to travel on the shuttle buses. http://www.cu-fc.com/page/NewStadium/0,,10424~1332896,00.html
Ground plan http://www.cu-fc.com/javaImages/40/62/0,,10424~3629632,00.jpg
Directions http://www.cu-fc.com/javaImages/89/db/0,,10424~3726217,00.jpg

Alehouses - The Stadium is some way from the centre and therefore offers very little by way of Pubs. Best bet appears to be area around the rail station where the shuttle buses run from. The Norfolk on North Station Road looks to be worth a visit. It's a Greene King house that keeps IPA and Abbot along with Speckled Hen. Basic Pub food is served and pizza, fried chicken and curry houses are within walking distance. The Albert on Cowdray Avenue is a Beefeater and has London Pride and IPA. The Bricklayers on North Station Road is a home fans Pub but does serve Adnams and is well worth a try without colours. The local Wetherspoons is The Playhouse at 4 St Johns Street where the usual fare can be found. The nearby Fox and Fidler offers a decent range including Malden Bitter. Also, The Bull on Crouch Street has received some good reviews for their ale and food.

In summery, a trip to Colchester is not what it used to be when welcoming Layer Road was their home. I doubt there'll be free ice-creams at the chip shop this time!

Enjoy.

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