Liverpool City Council announces changes to ‘experimental parking zone’ around Everton FC’s new stadium after a backlash from local businesses. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool City Council says it will make “several amendments” to the experimental parking zone surrounding Everton’s new stadium following a business backlash.

In Early February the council said it would impose a parking zone in the docklands area around Bramley-Moore Dock similar to those around Anfield and Goodison. However, businesses in the zone were not happy.

One of the main complaints was that the restrictions will be in place at all times and not just on matchdays or other events. So far 19,000 people have signed a petition in objection to the current proposals.

This zone, introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), went live two weeks ago today (on Monday, February 17) to coincide with Everton FC’s first match at the £750m waterfront stadium .

A major public consultation was launched as part of the ETRO and the Council has so far received 4,895 responses. Based on feedback from businesses and residents, as well as initial findings from the event, the Council will now implement changes to its operation.  The proposed amendments include:

• Applications for more than 10 business permits will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Note: Business permits cost £50 each. Resident and visitor permits are free.
• Safety-focused enforcement of the zone on the second stadium test event, on Sunday, March 23. (This will allow more time for businesses and residents to apply for permits and for the council to investigate the level of appropriate enforcement during events.)
• The one-hour limited waiting restriction will be extended to two hours, where possible.
• Permit parking will be introduced in the Pumpfields area (ie the Blackstock Street, Paul Street, Pall Mall and Chisenhale Street areas.)

The process to modify the ETRO to implement these initial recommendations (including new signage) will begin to be enacted within the next three months.

In response to feedback from businesses, the Council will also explore the scope for on-street pay and display parking bays in key locations to identify options, where possible, for longer-stay parking.

A further series of improvements, identified from the first test event, will also now be implemented, including:

• A review of the event traffic management plan on road closures ahead of the second test event. This is to ensure closures are enacted and communicated more effectively.
• Improvements to Street Lighting on walking routes to and from the stadium.
• Improved pedestrian wayfinding signage between Sandhills station and City Centre stations and the stadium.
• Temporary signage to shuttle bus and taxi rank locations.

Following these amendments and improvements, the Council’s Highways team will continue to monitor the impact of the ETRO to determine whether this has positively assisted businesses, visitors, and public opinion and if other amendments are required.

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Council leader Liam Robinson said: “Since the Experimental Parking Zone went live on the day of Everton’s first test event, the Council has been listening to all the feedback and analysing what we can do to make improvements.

“We understand the concerns being raised by businesses, residents and fans and we’ve wasted no time in assessing the necessary amendments that can be introduced as quickly as possible.

People can have their say on the ETRO public consultation by going to: www.liverpool.gov.uk/bramleymooreETRO