ARTICLE 1: THE PARKING WRANGLE

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 between 8am 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 10^th 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.

Links

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Deepdale-match-parking-wrangle.4605232.jp

http://www.lep.co.uk/national-football/Residents-have-their-say-on.4621806.jp
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Grandad39s-fury-at-parking-problems.4614118.jp
http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/PNE-fans-face-parking-clampdown.4515619.jp