Latest news
£80m South Stand for Twickers
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has unveiled plans for a new £80m South Stand at Twickenham Stadium that will include a variety of leisure facilities and a roof garden as well as increasing the ground's capacity from 75,000 to 82,000.
The South Stand Complex, designed by architects Ward McHugh, will include a four-star, 200-bed hotel with six VIP bedroom suites overlooking the pitch; a 40,000sq ft health and fitness club including a swimming pool, gym and spa and a 60,000sq ft conference, exhibition and banqueting space.
Within the exhibition space will be a 400-seat performing arts centre for local community use, following the RFU's tradition of supporting local projects, schools and arts groups.
RFU's chief executive, Francis Baron, said: 'We are very conscious that Twickenham Stadium is part of the local community and the brief to the architects was to come up with a scheme where everyone benefits'.
Construction will begin in June, subject to planning permission and the stand is expected to open in October 2004.
As well as increasing capacity by 7,000, the South Stand will increase wheelchair spaces from 308 to 340, add more toilet facilities and introduce wider seats for greater comfort.
The RFU aims to minimise disruption for those living around the stadium by encouraging fans to leave their cars at home and promoting the use public transport with distributed literature and clear signage. It also predicts the completed stadium will boost the local economy by approximately £40m a year.
To prevent overcrowding on public transport, facilities will stay open for two hours after games to encourage gradual post-match dispersal.
The RFU denied it hopes to play host to football matches, saying that there are no plans to make Twickenham anything other than a rugby stadium. Details: www.rfu.com