BRIGHTON and Hove Albion FC has beefed up parking and bus services to help fans beat next week's planned rail strike. 

Rail workers are due to walk out from Monday to Friday in a long-running dispute over conductors' roles. 

Talks are ongoing today to avert the strike, but if it goes ahead it is set to cause huge disruption on the Southern network. 

The club's chief executive, Paul Barber, said it was not taking sides in the dispute but the knock-on disruption to businesses was "totally unacceptable".  

Any strike is expected to affect matches against Colchester United and the opening home league fixture against Nottingham Forest next Friday (August 12). 

For that match, the club has secured extra parking and bus services for extra park-and-ride sites in West Hove, Brighton, Pyecombe and Lewes (see details underneath). 

It is also negotiating for extra parking in Brighton city centre and Lewes. 

Chief executive Paul Barber said: "As I said last week it is hugely disappointing that our fans, along with many others, are being subjected to such inconvenience and uncertainty regarding their travel arrangements to and from matches.

"Our business, like so many others in London and the south east, is now being severely disrupted by the dispute which, as a major customer of Southern, is totally unacceptable.

"It is not for the club to take sides in a dispute to which we are not privy to the details, but both sides should reflect on the damage this dispute is doing.

"Meanwhile, we have to plan accordingly, and if the strike does go ahead, which looks likely at this stage, our operations team has been working around the clock to formulate a contingency plan to help our supporters get to and from the Amex.

"They have secured additional park-and-ride sites, and additional bus services to take fans to and from the stadium, and we are confident this will give us the capacity to get everyone in and out for the match."

With a smaller crowd expected for the Colchester United match, fans can travel by bus, Seagull Travel's coach operation or by using the near-site parking available, with additional parking available at Sussex University.

Here are the additional measures available for the Nottingham Forest match on Friday August 12, should the strike go ahead: 

Park-and-ride sites at:

Sainsbury's, West Hove (pre-booked, details to follow)

& Brendon Equestrian, Pyecombe (pre-booked, details to follow)

- The club is negotiating for additional parking in both Brighton City Centre and Lewes.

- It will be running special shuttles from Maderia Drive/Marine Parade, and Lewes Station.

- An extra 200 additional spaces at Sussex University, which are available to purchase from £12 per car.

Where possible, fans are advised to come via normal means, but those fans who usually travel by train are advised to use one of the above options.