Parking around Everton Stadium set to be tweaked

With several businesses claiming that trade has been suffering, changes are set to be made to the parking rules around the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Everton will move into the stadium officially at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Business owners wanted plans to restrict parking around the stadium on matchdays but the Liverpool City Council is ruminating on a more permanent solution, applicable for 365 days a year. Liam Robinson, from the Council, told BBC Radio Merseyside that they would make "tweaks, alterations or changes" to the parking zone amid mounting pressure.

Paul Blair, owner of Hot Water Comedy Club and Blackstock Market, as well as Brittany Kefira, from Noctua Jewellery on Regent Street, discussed the blows to their businesses with the Councilman.

"I appreciate the council is now talking about pay and display options and looking at increasing the number of business permits but right now, businesses are still suffering and we're still waiting for answers and timelines,” said Kefira.

Meanwhile, Blair claimed that business was down nearly 47% since the parking rules were publicised and added that it was because "80% of the people coming are driving".

Robinson, while “genuinely sorry” for the impact, suggested that both parties could have to make compromises in order to reach an agreement. He also acknowledged that there had been some traffic problems linked to road closures and had also looked at board concerns about poor street lighting.

The Everton Stadium opened its doors to the world for the first time nearly 10 days ago when Everton U18s took on their counterparts from Wigan Athletic in a test event that saw 10,000 lucky Evertonians occupying the South Stand after a lucky ballot.

Although the test event had been a resounding success, Robinson acknowledged complaints regarding the transport and parking arrangements. He said there could not be a "parking free for all" in the area which he said was "starting to grow" through investment.

Public transport had also been inadequate. Despite handling only a fraction of the 52,000+ capacity for the test event, a fanzone at Sandhills Station got overcrowded. Improvements to signage, a new foot bridge and the introduction of eight carriage trains on match-days are expected to be the way forward, as suggested by Councilman Robinson. He will also meet with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Everton and fan groups in the coming days to discuss the issues.

 

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