A West Bridgford councillor has launched a petition calling for urgent action over parking, congestion and public transport disruption on Nottingham Forest home match days.
Councillor Penny Gowland, Labour councillor for West Bridgford North, says residents living near major sports venues are regularly affected by badly parked cars, severe congestion and delayed buses when events take place.
The petition calls on Nottinghamshire County Council to use its existing highways and parking powers to reduce disruption around local event days, including through options such as Controlled Parking Zones, subject to local consultation.
Cllr Gowland says the problems are already being felt by residents and should not be treated only as part of future discussions linked to wider development or planning applications.
In the petition, she says she values living next to internationally renowned sports venues, and hopes to see the National Watersports Centre regain a celebrated status through work involving the East Midlands Mayor and the local MP.
However, she says event days are placing heavy pressure on nearby residential streets.
The petition states: “On event days, the entire area is overwhelmed by badly parked cars, severe congestion and delayed buses. Residents are frequently unable to park anywhere near their own homes. These issues are happening now, and are not related to any future developments or ongoing planning applications.”
It adds that the situation affects residents and visitors, disrupting local transport and creating unnecessary tension during events which should be positive occasions for the area.
Cllr Gowland says she welcomes longer-term discussions, but believes some improvement is needed now.
She said Nottinghamshire County Council already has powers to make changes and pointed to Controlled Parking Zones as one possible measure used successfully in other cities.
The petition says: “The Council has sat on its hands on this issue for too long … but perhaps the new administration will accept responsibility and take action. It is time to finally see some leadership on this matter.”
It calls on the county council to “take urgent, decisive action to get ahead of the game” and adopt measures to reduce traffic, parking and transport disruption caused by local events.
Parking pressures around the City Ground and nearby streets have been a recurring issue in West Bridgford. Previous concerns have included residents being unable to park near their homes, obstructive parking, and disruption linked to football and cricket match days.
A 67-signature petition calling for a residents’ permit scheme on Edward Road was presented to Nottinghamshire County Council in 2024 over concerns linked to City Ground and Trent Bridge parking. More recently, Nottingham Forest installed traffic cones on Gresham Close as part of a short trial aimed at reducing inconsiderate parking linked to activity at the club’s training facilities.
Matchday transport and parking have also formed part of wider discussions around Nottingham Forest’s City Ground expansion plans. A legal agreement linked to the redevelopment included a £190,000 contribution towards a matchday permits scheme for local residents, while councillors considering the plans also heard concerns about traffic and parking before approving the proposals.
The petition has 349 signatures at the time of publishing – see petition here
Cllr Gowland’s petition argues that immediate action is needed regardless of any future development, saying Nottinghamshire County Council already has the appropriate powers and “just needs to use them”.
