An Everton-supporting mum living with a spinal condition has said parking around the Blues’ new ground has ruined her matchgoing experience. Jan Syme spent 10 years on the Everton Disabled Supporters Association (EDSA) committee and worked with the club on upgrades at Goodison Park.
The LDRS revealed last week how some Toffees fans with blue badges are considering handing in their season tickets to Hill Dickinson Stadium after finding it increasingly more difficult to get to games. Jan said she maybe someone who “very reluctantly” may have to do the same.
Everton have begun work to see if further spaces can be provided for disabled fans to park at Nelson Dock. After consultation with representatives from those living and working around the stadium footprint, Liverpool Council confirmed last summer it had changed the operation of the parking zone including increased blue badge parking around Regent Road.
Everton’s plans to host major outdoor events and concerts at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium have run into opposition
Everton’s plans to host major outdoor events and concerts at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium have run into opposition | Matt McNulty/Getty Images
In its advice to fans, the city council said in the first instance – blue badge holders should follow the guidance in “The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England.” This is in addition to being able to park on yellow lines, unless there is a loading/unloading restriction, so long as a valid Blue Badge is displayed along with the blue parking clock and the vehicle is not causing an obstruction.
Jan has been able to secure a spot at Nelson Dock but this has come with its own challenges. She said: “I attended early consultation meetings and voiced my concerns regarding the parking situation for disabled supporters.
“Sadly, I wish I’d been wrong. I am a season ticket holder and for this season only, I have been allocated a parking space at the Nelson Dock.
“It has ruined the whole match going experience for me and others who I know. Obviously people are disabled in many different ways.
“My spinal condition means that sitting upright for more than a few hours, leaves me bed bound for a day and suffering increased pain. Goodison Park was easily accessed and travel and match time meant sitting for four hours at most.”
Ahead of the season, Everton worked with EDSA to more than double the number of Blue Badge parking spaces originally available – increasing from 50 to more than 100 – making it one of the highest allocations for disabled supporters in the Premier League. With demand for Blue Badge and accessible spaces continuing to grow, discussions remain ongoing with supporters to explore further expansion.
Jan added how her day had changed considerably owing to the changes to match day and in some cases, she has had to forego her trip to the game. She said: “Due to congestion around Hill Dickinson Stadium, we are required to be in the car park no less than two hours before kick off.
“It takes longer to get to and we can’t leave the car park for an hour after the final whistle. Match day now takes at the very least seven hours.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to attend matches and, sadly due to my health, I have had to miss a few already this season. I am also somebody who is considering not renewing her season ticket, very reluctantly.
“Should I stay, I will have to find an alternative car park. This will be more expensive but, if I’m fortunate enough to find one, I may not have to sit for as long.”
Everton have committed to look at a project of remapping of the site at Nelson Dock following the removal of construction equipment and vehicles, to assess whether the number of Blue Badge parking spaces can be increased. To improve arrival times and reduce congestion, windscreen car park passes were introduced to aid smooth entry into Nelson Dock and speed up the access process.
Following feedback that vehicles parked at Nelson Dock were sometimes obstructed by pedestrian traffic, dedicated security access from Nelson Dock to the Budweiser Plaza has been introduced. An accessibility steward is now positioned at this point pre-and-post match, where required, to assist disabled supporters on arrival and departure.
Post-match stewarding has also been strengthened to help manage access into Nelson Dock and protect disabled fans returning to their vehicles.
An accessible shuttle service has been introduced for supporters travelling to and from the Hill Dickinson Stadium by train on matchdays. The shuttle operates between nearby Sandhills Station and Boundary Street, approximately 175 metres from the stadium, and is available via pre-booking.
Regular meetings take place between EDSA, the club and stakeholders including Traffic Management and Aramark to raise specific issues and develop practical solutions. Everton and EDSA are collaborating on the introduction of Supporter Accessible Passports, ahead of next season, which will further personalise and streamline the matchday experience for disabled fans.
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