Derby's World Cup hopes ruined by weak transport links

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All hopes for Derby to host the 2018 World Cup football matches were shattered when the bid was awarded to Nottingham, partly because of Derby’s weak transport links between Pride Park and the city's accommodation.

The feedback received by bid organisers from the Football Association included the comment about weak transport links.Derby City Council and others including Derby County were hoping stage games at Pride Park, if England is the host.

Bid project manager Sam Whitworth said they were told by the FA that the city had a very strong bid."They were keen to point out that the bid was not just about the stadium."It was about the bigger picture and what the city was offering."

She said the FA pointed out that the accommodation offered as part of the bid was spread across the county. The FA was concerned about how people were going to get from the more remote hotels and bed and breakfasts to the games.

"We were looking at using shuttle buses to get fans from their hotels to the matches," Ms Whitworth said.England will find out in December if the bid to host the World Cup has been successful.