STEVE LANSDOWN is calling for restrictions on Bristol City fans travelling to games in Cardiff and Swansea to be lifted.

Police authorities in Avon and Somerset and South Wales imposed strict limitations on away fans in response to clashes between rival sets of supporters in 2001 and 2002.

Fans travelling to games between City, Cardiff and Swansea have since been subject to draconian measures which require them to travel on official club coaches to and from the stadiums – the so-called bubble trips.

Unhappy at loss of freedom of movement, supporters have voted with their feet and hundreds of tickets remained unsold when City played Cardiif at Ninian Park last weekend.

City chairman Lansdown insists the time has come for a change and he intends making representation to Avon and Somerset Police in an attempt to have the restrictions lifted in time for next season.

"I think the time is right for us to have a good look at this," said Lansdown. "I believe we have to move with the times and we have to ask ourselves whether this is not now a case of overkill.

"We shouldn't accept that this is the way it is and, therefore, the way it is always going to be.

"We will try and keep our dialogue with the police open and I would like to think they will keep an open mind on this issue."

More than 1,000 City fans made the short journey to Ninian Park, but hundreds of seats remained empty for the local derby fixture. It was a similar story when Cardiff fans failed to take up their full allocation for last season's Championship fixture at Ashton Gate.

Lansdown said: "As a football club, we're in the business of entertaining the public and, as such, we have to make it possible for them to attend matches.

"I understand why these restrictions were put in place and I appreciate that safety is of paramount importance. But these arrangements cause a lot of inconvenience to genuine fans of all three clubs who travel from far and wide to see their team play. We don't want to put people's safety in jeopardy, but we have to be realistic and listen to our supporters.

"People are staying away from these games and that cannot be right."

Restrictions were imposed following clashes between rival sets of fans before, during and after a Cardiff versus Bristol City derby at Ninian Park in December 2001.

But Lansdown believes the prospects of further problems are now much reduced.

He said: "I'd like to think that we've come to the point where we can relax these restrictions. It's sad that, in this day and age, people can't travel to football matches under their own steam.

"Cardiff are building a new stadium for next season and that should make it easier for police and stewards to control crowds. Swansea already have a new stadium and we have to move with the times."