Everton’s new stadium has seen new parking restrictions come into play to the frustration of local residents and businesses as the club prepare to start life in the ground next season

Liverpool City Council have been forced to undertake a major change at the site of Everton’s new stadium after almost 20,000 complaints.

The authority previously announced that parking restrictions would be enforced within a 30-minute walking radius of the Bramley-Moore Dock site. The restrictions are now set to be amended after causing uproar, with visitors now expected to be permitted to park for two hours rather than one.

The Toffees are set to begin life in their new 52,000-seater stadium next season, as they leave Goodison Park. Teething issues already appear to present for the £750million ground however.

The Experimental Traffic Road Order has prompted backlash from local businesses after it saw 4,000 residents and 3,000 businesses asked to apply for parking permits, with restrictions imposed at all times and not just on match days. The introduction of the ETRO was saw the council tell businesses they could apply for 10 parking permits at an annual cost of £50 each, and now they will consider requests from those who want more than 10 permits, on a ‘case-by-case basis’.

A petition hoping to see the ETRO scrapped has already seen more than 19,000 signatures. And parking restrictions are already said to have made an impact.

Joseph Burns, whose family owns Ten Streets Social restaurant in the area, told BBC : “It really will ruin our business if they don’t change this and if they don’t change it quickly.”

Council leader Liam Robinson said: “We understand the concerns being raised by businesses, residents and fans. We’ve wasted no time in assessing the necessary amendments that can be introduced as quickly as possible.”

Everton have already hosted a test event that provided 10,000 fans their first look into their new home. The Toffees under-18s faced Wigan in a friendly as the club continued preparations for their shift.

It saw Everton Fans’ Forum pen a letter expressing concerns over transport, parking and safety at the nearest Merseyrail station to the ground, Sandhills. David Wycherley, from fans’ forum, outlined that supporters had made contact ‘raising concerns around that outside infrastructure’.

“It’s only when some of these things are put into practice that people start to realise that actually we can do a bit better,” Wycherley said.

The council has also said it will also make changes to match-day parking restrictions following the event. Alterations will include improved signage and a review of how road closures are relayed to the public.

The ETRO is set to remain under review over the next 18 months. Councillor Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport, said: “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.”

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