The FA has appealed for Government money to redevelop Wembley
after the project's costs soared to over £600 million. That has
put the whole project in jeopardy and sparked 'bids' from
several other cities including Birmingham.
Coventry's planned 45,000 seat stadium incorporates a sliding
roof and retractable pitch but would need to be upgraded to take
around twice as many spectators.
However Richardson is convinced the location of the £160
million project could well appeal to the national stadium
planners.
"We must be the next favourite location to build a
national stadium. We would have to upscale the building but
not huge amounts because you still have to have the structure
there and would still have to have cleansed the site.
"The main thing is that we have planning consents and
are two years ahead of anyone in the country. We have had very
good indications from our own authority about upgrading, and
bringing the national stadium here would be wonderful for the
city in terms of prestige and in terms of business. Everything
would benefit from it.
"It is, however, very early. Birmingham threw its hat
in yesterday and we are responding. If we are to be sensible
about it and provide the facilities and location there is only
one place which should be in the reckoning.
"We have five motorways within easy reach, there is a
railway right into the complex and an international airport
just 15 minutes away. There is nowhere else which can be so
accessible and Wembley has not been able to deliver level of
accessibility."
