Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update on Stockport County Football Club’s expansion plans, match day parking and the ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to answer questions from the Area Committee in relation to the item.

A written report was provided by Tom Mahon, Chief Operating Officer from Stockport County Football Club:

·         ‘Improved signage/awareness of secure and covered bike racks at the ground.

·         Extension of deal for fans to use NCP at the train station on a match day.

·         Increased stewarding around car parks to improve flow and minimise impact on local residents.

·         Ongoing discussions with external stakeholders about use of offsite facilities such as Network Rail.

·         All of the above is a commitment by the club to reduce the number of cars coming to site and minimising the impact of matchday parking on local residents.’

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         A survey in relation to parking was due to be put to residents, with results expected in December 2023. The purpose of the survey was to understand what residents felt the impacts on parking were e.g., match day related.

·         The Area Committee thanked officers for their hard work to date.

·         It was suggested the agenda item be removed as a standing item.

·         The Area Committee would receive a report on the outcome of the consultation in due course.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive a verbal update on Stockport County Football Club’s expansion plans, match day parking and the ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

The Chair reported that this item had been included on the agenda following a resolution of the Area Committee at its meeting on 22 June 2023 that the matter remain a standing agenda item until such a time that the Area Committee agrees otherwise.

It was then further reported that it had not been possible for a representative of the Director of Place Management to attend the meeting on this occasion.

To receive a verbal update on Stockport County Football Club’s expansion plans, match day parking and the ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

Officer contact: Richard Daniels 0161 218 1621 | richard.daniels@stockport.gov.uk

Richard Daniels (District Centre Manager, Stockport Council) read aloud an update on behalf of Rick Simkin (Operations Director at Stockport County):

‘Following yet another very successful 2022/ 23 campaign, which ultimately concluded with an unfortunate penalty defeat in the play-off final at Wembley, the club would like to provide the following updates for the Area Committee meeting on Thursday 22 July 2023.

The club have identified additional potential car parking locations and are having positive discussions with key local partners to explore the utilisation of small-scale parcels of land - all being within proximity to the ground. Whilst there are no confirmed quantities of spaces at this stage, there are positive discussions ongoing which will only help to alleviate the match day parking issues on a match day/ event day. As you are aware, the club have entered into a very beneficial arrangement with NCP for fans to use the 1,000 space MSCP at the station on match days at heavily discounted rates. Take up has been low on account of the fact that there is no footpath link from the MSCP to the Thomson Street footbridge which is placing an extra 10 minutes on the journey time from the car park to the stadium. We have approached the council to explore if such a footpath link could be installed so any help and support the Area Committee could provide in trying to “make this happen” would be greatly welcomed as, with such a footpath link provided we are confident that hundreds more fans would use this facility thus removing a significant volume of cars from the stadium neighbourhood.

The club has recently submitted a planning application for an extension to the current office space located within The Cheadle End car park which does not impact on any car parking spaces and is sympathetic to the local area. This is due to the growth of full-time members of club staff across both operational and commercial departments and will enhance both the working experience and environment.

The club continue to work on plans for the expansion of Edgeley Park Stadium with a view to go back out for a second round of public consultations in the autumn.

Match day car parking will again be a key focus of the club for the upcoming 2023/ 24 season, and with the continued support from the local enforcement officers, the message has been getting across to the fan base that parking in restricted areas will not be tolerated. The club will continue to issue communications to all fans and for all match days, and we kindly request that the enforcement officers continue to patrol as much as physically possible.’

It was asked that, if this agenda item remained a standing item on the agenda, a representative from the Highways department attend the meeting to answer any questions from the Area Committee.

To receive a verbal update on Stockport County Football Club’s expansion plans, match day parking and the ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

Officer contact: Richard Daniels on 0161 218 1621 or email: richard.daniels@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance provided the following update on Stockport County Football Club’s expansion plans, match day parking and the ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area:

·         Stockport County were continuing to liaise with local land-owners to explore more options on potential sites for match day car parking, working with the Council to identify any parcels of land that they have ownership of near the train station area on Match Days. The use of the Bergara Close Coach Compound was still working well but County were keen to adapt the area to help with the egress of fans. This discussion was ongoing with the relevant officers of the Council. There were currently no further updates on the stadium expansion plans. Civil Enforcement Officers continue to monitor on Match days and approximately 45 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued on Match Days since the beginning of March 2023.

The Chair proposed that the update provided by Stockport County Football Club be noted and that the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee when a more detailed update could be provided.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         an update on the parking survey be circulated to members by email; and

·         that a representative of the Highways Team be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to provide an update.

RESOLVED – (1) that the update be noted;

(2) that the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee when a more detailed update could be provided;

(3) that an update on the parking survey be circulated to members by email; and

(4) that a representative of the Highways Team be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to provide an update.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of members of the Area Committee.

To receive a verbal update on ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

Officer contact: Richard Daniels 0161 218 1621 | richard.daniels@stockport.gov.uk

Rick Simkin (Stockport County Football Club (FC)), Richard Daniels (District Centre Manager, Stockport Council) and Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to provide a verbal update on ongoing work to alleviate pressures on the existing Edgeley Resident Parking Scheme and issues of commuter parking in the area.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The NCP parking deal had now been launched which enabled visitors to get a reduced fee on car parking for using this provision. Occupancy rate on three recent match days had risen from approximately 5% to 15%.

·         The new footbridge link was reported as working well, as was coach parking on Bergara Close.

·         Stockport County FC were having ongoing conversations with local schools and colleges in relation to using their car parks for additional parking provision on match days. This additional provision would provide 100 car parking spaces across the four schools. The club would pay the schools and steward accordingly.

·         Positive feedback on the increased provision had been received by Greater Manchester Police, residents and fans, although it was recognised that there was more work to be done.

·         Ongoing conversations were taking place with Transport for Greater Manchester in relation to the potential for special bus services and/ or the diverting of routes from the A6 to the grounds.

·         The club and council were continuing to promote car sharing for fans and staff. It was noted that staff tended to car share in any case. Communications also asked fans to plan their journey in advance of matches, and promoted nearby car parking provision.

·         Cycle shelters had been put in place and associated signage would be implemented imminently. This provision would also be promoted in due course.

·         A fan survey would be taking place imminently to gather data on how they were travelling to matches.

·         Business parks in the area were to be approached to determine whether their parking provision could be utilised on match days.

·         The club were working closely with the Enforcement Team to tackle parking issues.

·         It was noted that the traffic management plan on Castle Road and Caroline Street was working but was being monitored. It was suggested that bollards could be a useful measure in supporting the traffic management plan in this area.

·         Members were advised that Stopford House Car Park could not be used owing to events in Stockport Town Hall on weekends which meant provision was already in use.

·         It was requested that residents in the area be surveyed to get a better understanding of issues, and whether there was appetite for an expansion of the residents parking zone, as well as a breakdown of any costs attached. Members agreed that a report on the residents parking zone should be brought back to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Head of Highways and Transportation be requested to provide a report on the residents parking zone to the next meeting of the Area Committee (9 March 2023), including information on a resident’s survey and a breakdown of any costs attached, produced in consultation with the Highways Ward Spokespersons.