Plans for matchday parking restrictions around Nottingham Forest’s City Ground have been welcomed by residents concerned about congestion and “dangerous” parking.
The preliminary Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) would cover much of West Bridgford, all of Lady Bay and parts of the Meadows.
It forms part of the club’s application to expand the City Ground from around 31,000 seats to a capacity of up to 52,500.
Under the initial proposal, restrictions would operate from four hours before kick-off until around two hours after the final whistle. No scheme has yet been approved, and details including its boundary, operating hours and permit arrangements remain subject to agreement and consultation.
Residents and councillors have long called for action over supporters parking on residential streets, restricting access and blocking driveways.
Dr Ruta Furmonaviciene, who lives on Hound Road close to the stadium, said they “absolutely” supported the proposals.
“It gets very busy,” they said.
“Speed restrictions would help for us as well. It gets very noisy and polluted. If we have guests or deliveries, it becomes impossible.”
Andrew Higgins, of Millicent Road, said: “We occasionally get someone park on our front, which can make it awkward and it can become congested. [The CPZ] would definitely make it easier.”
Hound Road is already subject to parking restrictions, while Millicent Road does not have the same controls.
Richard Chapman, a 53-year-old management consultant who also lives on Millicent Road, said: “It becomes very congested on matchdays and after the game.
“It’s a surge. It creates a dangerous environment. People wait and look for spaces and I worry. If they did bring in the restrictions, people may come even earlier and just read their paper in the sun.”
Paula Dakin, who lives at the Waterside apartments in West Bridgford, said residents had been invited to a meeting on 18 August to discuss the plans.
However, she questioned how the restrictions would operate.
“How is it going to affect us?” she said. “Who’s getting fined? Visitors or locals?”
Further details are expected on how residents, visitors and deliveries would be accommodated within the zone.
The CPZ is among several measures proposed to reduce the number of supporters driving into the area on matchdays.
Forest also proposes directing drivers towards pre-booked spaces and tram Park and Ride sites, with a package costing around £7 per vehicle.
The club’s transport strategy also suggests extending the limited weekend opening hours at the Queen’s Drive and Racecourse Park and Ride sites on matchdays. Shuttle buses could run from Queen’s Drive to Wilford Suspension Bridge and from Racecourse to the City Ground.
By Joseph Connolly, Local Democracy Reporter
