A ROW between Worcester Warriors and Worcestershire County Council has been settled after the club agreed to pay money towards a popular park and ride service which ferries rugby fans to and from Sixways on matchdays.

We previously reported in your Worcester News how the cash-strapped council had asked the rugby club to start paying for the use of County Hall’s car park – used by many supporters who hop on and off the matchday buses.

Although Worcestershire County Council said discussions about transport arrangements had been going on since Wednesday, July 7, the club claimed the decision to charge it for the use of the County Hall matchday park and ride – a free bus service run by Worcester Warriors – had been sprung on them.

That initially caused a stand-off between the two parties and nearly resulted in the matchday service being cancelled on the eve of Worcester Warriors’ first RFU Championship game of the season against Birming-ham and Solihull two weekends ago.

However, the club and council set aside their differences to put the service on, albeit as a temporary measure, while discussions continued.

Those have since finished with the club backing down.

Worcester Warriors’ general manager Charlie Little confirmed an agreement had been reached but refused to say how much the club will pay the council.

He said the club will have to “absorb” the cost through other means but said supporters will not be made to pay for the bus service.

Explaining the change in the club’s position Mr Little said: “We understand why there’s a requirement to make a charge and put a licence fee on it. It’s a commercial world and we appreciate that.”

Mr Little indicated the club was still bemused at the way the council went about introducing the charge but was happy the situation had finally been resolved with no impact on supporters.

Councillor Stephen Clee, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said: “Worcestershire County Council is not and has not restricted the use of County Hall car park to the detriment of Worcester Warriors fans using the park and ride service.

“Following successful negotiations between the council and the club, service will continue as normal this weekend but it is really important to stress that the service has not been reinstated as the use of our car parking facilities was never withdrawn.”