This is a blog about Preston Transport and the issues I have found that faces the sector. I would be grateful if you could post any comments with the issues I have raised. Enjoy!
Saturday, 6 December 2008
ARTICLE 3: CASE STUDY LIVERPOOL AND EVERTON
Residents living near other Football Stadiums within this country, face similar problems with those in Preston.
This article illustrates the methods, other clubs use to tackle the problem.
The home grounds of Liverpool FC and Everton FC are both based in residential areas, which results in football fans parking their cars on the roadside, causing problems for residents on match days.
To reduce this problem Liverpool council set up a Football Match Parking Zone (FMPZ).
The FMPZ is designed to provide parking spaces for residents living close to the City’s two main football grounds, Anfield and Goodison.
Picture by andy munray on flickr
It works by issuing permits to residents within the zone, which they are to display on their cars on match days.
These parking permits only apply on match days and the normal criteria are enforced on other days.
To reduce the amount of traffic like Preston the council also uses designated parking (special parking lots) and Park and Ride. They also produce alternative parking which is one of the reasons being cited, explaining why those stadiums are flourishing.
However when reviewing this success story, keep in mind that both these stadiums are covered by section 106. Therefore they are obliged to give money to the council. Other areas around championship clubs like Leicester FC and Blacpool FC face similar problems to those of Deepdale residents.
Parking Permits are a measure designed to allow car owning residents the opportunity of parking close to their home by restricting the parking of others.
There are over 153 parking zones within Preston with 16 in the areas around the stadium.
PROS
These permits give car owning residents of the zone the opportunity of parking close to their home. It potentially improves the general environmental aspects of the area. Also according to Preston council it generally reduces the number of vehicles in the area.
PERMIT ZONES
In each scheme, a street or a series of streets are called a parking zone. Within each zone a permit holder car park in the bays marked. Permit holders cannot use their permits in other zones.
Below is a map locating the permit zones in Preston where residents can apply for a parking permit. These zones fulfill the criteria set by the council.
key: BLUE P= Permit holders can park anywhere on the street GREEN TIANGLE: Permit holders can only park in ceratin areas along the street.
As you can see on the map apart from the bottom part of St George's there are no permit sites around the stadium and especially around Deepdale stadium.
The zones are particulary situated towards the town centre with fewer and fewer towards the outskirts. CONS
Although widely used parking permits do have their own disadvantages.
Owning a pass does not guarantee a parking space will be available, nor does it guarantee that a resident will be able to park directly outside their house. This in many cases may lead to disputes amongst neighbours.
Russel Rees Head of Engineering for the council at the Central Area Forum elaborated on the problems.
He said: “Another issue is that zones cannot be enforced late into the evening, and some zones have more permits than there are spaces available.”
Mr Rees also explained that with parking schemes: “the number of available spaces might in fact be reduced as there would be a need to create defined parking bays.”
The parking wrangle around streets of Preston North End's ground continues to be a heated debate, in the run up to a crises meeting.
Residents have voiced their anger over fans "stealing their spots." Around the areas surrounding the stadium.
Russell Rees Head of Engineering at the council said: "I don't think we will ever get over the hurdles, it’s not a priority for me." He highlighted that the parking situation is much worse around the Frenchwood area."
One local man at the last central area forum meeting on the 26th of October said: "It's a nuisance. We can't do anything because there's nowhere to park when we get back."
Residents are calling for parking schemes to alleviate their parking problems. These hopes may be dashed.
"Criteria set down for permit areas state that parking must be a problem between8am and 6pm on five or more days." (lep hopes it)
Mr Rees explained that because the problem only occurs on match days for 2 to 3 hours twice a month for half the year, it is not a pressing problem.
"It is an inconvenience not a commuter problem." (REES)
Although Preston is run by two-tier authority the decision to create policy lies with the county council who implements the changes.
Mr Rees said that the problem:
"Is an amenity, partly convenience therefore the county council won't pay for it, they see is a responsibility of a city council."
Mr Rees explains that it is all about the issue with cost. To implement change within the area is estimated to cost £20,000 for a decent scheme.
Preston North End, according to a spokesperson is not obliged to help residents. They provide numerous sites around the stadium where fans can park and there are other locations like schools that provide parking spots.
There is a piece of law called Section 106 which forces football clubs to give money to the local authority to help with transport problems.
However they are only obliged to do this when stadiums reach a capacity of 18500 person’s consistency through the season, and the amount of money are nominal amounts (max £5,000). Since Preston North End at the moment only averages around 10,000 persons they are not obliged to give any money to the council.
Geoff Ollerton from the Preston Supporters Group said: “I don’t think the club can do anymore then they have, they already provide enough parking spaces.”
The football club feels no obligation to alleviate the problem. Matt Morris a spokesperson for the club said: “the conversation is between the council and the residents and not the club.”
“We do encourage fans to use parking projects that we operate and to use public transport.”
The club acts in corporation with stage coach to transport supporters to and fro from the stadium.
A special meeting on the issue is taking place on the 10th of December at Preston District Scope. The argument continues.
SUMMARY
1)T change the parking criteria
2)funding problems
3)forcing Preston North End to take an active role.
