Council responds to anger over Everton Stadium parking zone proposals

Liverpool City Council has responded to anger over its Experimental Parking Zone (EPZ) plans around Everton’s new £760m stadium which has so far attracted more than 19,000 signatures to a protest petition.

The council proposed a range of restrictions on businesses and residents within a 30-minute walking zone of the stadium.

However, the restrictions applied 24/7, not just for matchdays or events at the new 52,888-seat ground.

It is estimated that the restrictions affect more than 3,000 businesses and 4,000 residents.

Now, the authority is proposing amendments to the EPZ plans.

It follows the first test event at the stadium on February 17, when around 10,000 fans attended a friendly game. A second event for 25,000 spectators is planned for Sunday, March 23. A third event, at full capacity, is expected to take place before the end of the current football season.

The council said, following feedback to its EPZ strategy it will make the following changes:

• 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. 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 (i.e. the Blackstock Street, Paul Street, Pall Mall and Chisenhale Street areas.)

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

Further changes may also be made following a further two stadium test events, in March and May, and throughout the 18-month process up to August 2026 when the ground will host first team games in the 2025-26 season. 

The council said, in response to feedback from businesses, it 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.

Experimenal Parking Zone

Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, 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.”

He added: “The measures that can be amended to alleviate concerns on issues like waiting times and number of permits will be considered as a priority. The major concerns from the first event around road closures and street lighting are also being addressed to ensure they are remedied by the second test event at the end of March.

“We are also working closely with colleagues at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseytravel and Merseyrail on their plans for public transport provision and we are in active dialogue with them and Everton to ensure changes and improvements are made.”

Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: “Given this is an experimental zone and we are in the test event stage, lessons are being learned all the time.

“I want to reassure everyone the council is actively looking to make the necessary improvements to help businesses, residents and fans as much as possible, especially as we build up to the final test event in May and then the start of the new football season in August.

“The council is keen to continue talking to businesses to explain the process and to hear how the measures and amendments are impacting their staff and customers and how we can work together to make improvements quickly.”

He added: “A key aim of the Experimental Zone is tackling the problem of commuter parking 365 days a year, as well as illegal and unsafe parking on double yellow lines and pavements.

“These issues impact the area all year round and it’s vital we get this right to support its economic development and to tackle congestion, especially as more businesses set up here and more residential schemes are developed.”

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

If there are specific queries that aren’t covered by the online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) people can email: bramleymooredockETRO@liverpool.gov.uk