Football fans at the proposed Falmer stadium would be made to change their travel habits, Brighton and Hove Albion has pledged.

Supporters would be forced to use alternatives to their cars, using similar tactics employed at Withdean.

About three quarters of fans at Withdean use sustainable methods of transport, the fifth day of the public inquiry into the club's stadium plans heard today.

Transport expert Mark Leigh said it had been a "massive achievement".

He said he was not aware of another football club that had been so successful in altering supporters' habits.

He told the Hove Town Hall hearing less than half of supporters now used their car to reach Withdean on match days.

He said a similar strategy was needed for the proposed 22,000-seat stadium at Village Way North.

Parking controls would be introduced at Falmer village, Moulsecoomb and on roads in the surrounding area.

Drivers would only be able to use match-day car parks on the University of Sussex campus if there were more than three people per car.

Away fans would be encouraged to arrive at the stadium by coach or rail.

Mr Leigh said 3,000 fans could now be transported from Falmer station in less than an hour after games.

But he said 7,000 to 8,000 could be moved quickly by rail if the station's platforms were extended.

Opponents, who are due to begin cross examining Mr Leigh this afternoon, said the stadium could not be in a worse site for sustainable transportation.

They said the experience of Withdean, near homes and in an urban area, was not comparable.

Mr Leigh said the three quarters of supporters using sustainable transport included car drivers using dedicated park and ride sites.

The supporters and objectors will speak during the inquiry which the inspector this morning said was likely to overrun into a seventh week.

Mr Leigh said Brighton and Hove was densely populated and it would be difficult to control car use at a stadium within the city.

He said public transport was also likely to be overwhelmed after Saturday afternoon games.