LNER Community Stadium parking prompts York council calls

There are growing concerns about dangerous parking in residential streets during York City FC and York Knights games at the LNER Community Stadium, Liberal Democrat ward councillors said.

Huntington and New Earswick’s Liberal Democrat Cllr Keith Orrell said concerns included parked cars blocking emergency services vehicles and called on York Council to begin consulting residents on possible solutions.

Council Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious said they and the stadium’s management team were mulling introducing residential parking (ResPark) permits amid growing pressure following the teams’ successes.

It comes after the Minstermen secured their re-entry into the national football league in April.

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The promotion is expected to increase matchday attendance at the 8,500-capacity LNER Community Stadium, with Labour York Outer MP Luke Charters saying it is too small for the team’s ambitions.

It also follows York Knights’ promotion to the rugby league Super League this year.

Pictures from Liberal Democrat ward councillors showed several cars parked in Ferguson Way, Huntington and other streets.

They said they had since begun surveying residents about parking issues to gather views about potential solutions including matchday-only restrictions and improved public transport links.

They added shuttle bus services were discussed before the stadium opened but the fall in public transport use during the coronavirus pandemic meant passenger numbers did not get high enough.

Cars parked on a street in Huntington, York, on a matchday at the LNER Community Stadium (Image: York Liberal Democrats)

Cllr Orrell said it was great that the teams had achieved promotion but it was time to consult residents with differing views street-by-street before the start of the football season.

The ward councillor said: “I’ve walked around on match days and seen that most supporters park responsibly but I’ve been concerned that emergency vehicles would have great difficulty on some streets, this has been reported to the council and North Yorkshire Police.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Carol Runciman said the situation had changed completely since the stadium opened in 2021 with thousands more fans attending games.

Cllr Runciman said: “The original intention was for dedicated bus services from across the city so supporters would not need to drive, the council and stadium operators must now revisit those plans urgently.”

Cllr Chris Cullwick, a Liberal Democrat who also represents the ward, said future measures should reflect the wishes of individual streets.

The ward councillor said: “Residents deserve to feel safe and listened to in their own streets.

“The council must now stop delaying and start a proper consultation process before next season begins.”

Labour Transport Executive Member Cllr Ravilious said residents in the area had been consulted on a ResPark scheme in 2022 but rejected it.

She added individual streets opting in and out of permits costing £115-a-year for the first car at standard rates was not a solution and they needed to be implemented neighbourhood-wide.

Cllr Ravilious said: “We understand and sympathise with the frustration of local residents experiencing parking issues on their streets.

“A ResPark scheme is the best tool for addressing parking problems and providing residents with appropriate parking protections.

“Since 2022, the council has responded to ward councillors’ and residents’ emails about parking issues in the area to explain the available options.

“Many communities across York suffer similar parking pressures and have requested ResPark schemes and have a long waiting list which we are working through as fast as possible.

“We recognise that the success of both York City FC and York Knights has added to parking pressures in the area and we’re now working with the stadium management team to revisit a ResPark scheme for the area.”