Rail strikes road chaos concerns with Shield fans on way
CITY TO HOST CURTAIN-RAISER TO SEASON BUT FEARS ACTION WILL HAVE IMPACT ON TRAVEL PLANS
LEICESTER is facing the perfect storm for road chaos this weekend - with about 26,000 Liverpool and Manchester City fans heading for the city to watch their teams play for the Community Shield just as train strikes halt rail services.
The match, which kicks of at the King Power Stadium at 5pm on Saturday, heralds the opening of the new Premier League season.
The two football goliaths - Premier League champions Manchester City and FA Cup winners Liverpool - will clash at Leicester’s ground because Wembley will be hosting the Women’s Euro 2022 final the following day and because Leicester City won the Community Shield last season.
Hundreds of train drivers from eight companies up and down the country are staging a 24-hour walk-out over pay on Saturday. The industrial action is expected to force more people into their cars on what is likely to be a busy day on the road network in the city and the wider region.
An FA spokesman said: “The FA is aware of planned industrial action across the rail network on Saturday, July 30, 2022. We are working closely with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and train operating companies to understand the impact on the FA Community Shield in Leicester and any contingency options that can be deployed.
“However, our information shows that the vast majority of spectators for this fixture are expected to travel by road and there is sufficient capacity to accommodate both coaches and private vehicles. We would advise anyone planning on using the rail network to seek alternative arrangements.”
The FA has created two large coach parks near the stadium - at the British Gas site, off Aylestone Road, and on the De Montfort University campus - to accommodate both coaches and cars, although spaces must be booked online in advance, and an accessible shuttle bus service to and from the stadium for fans with reduced mobility will operate from both.
Public transport from the city centre to the King Power will also be in operation.
There could be an extra 5,000 cars on our roads, all looking for a space to park
The Community Shield is not the only sporting event to be affected by the strike, which involves drivers from Arriva Rail London, Chiltern Railways, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
As well as the Women’s Euros being affected, the Commonwealth Games get under way in Birmingham today and the knock-on effects from Tuesday’s rail strikes could have an impact.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston has expressed his disappointment at strikes this week.
He tweeted: “It’s hugely disappointing that unions have decided to strike during a fantastic summer of sport which has been in the planning for years. This could hugely impact the spectator experience for those planning to travel by train. The strike action comes at a critical stage of the Women’s Euros and the start of the Commonwealth Games.”
Anyone heading out anywhere in their cars on Saturday is being urged to prepare for long delays around the city.
Leicester City Council’s chief operating officer, Alison Greenhill, said: “The FA Community Shield rarely takes place away from Wembley, so we’re very proud that Leicester will be hosting this curtain-raiser to the new football season.
“Visiting fans will eat and drink in the city centre’s bars and restaurants, giving the local economy a much-needed boost, and Leicester will benefit from hosting a high-profile fixture that puts the city at the centre of the footballing stage once again, so I hope that fans of both teams will be made to feel very welcome.
“But hosting a game of this magnitude does mean, of course, that Leicester will be much busier than normal.
“With fans expected to travel to the game by car, there could be an extra 5,000 cars on our roads, all looking for a space to park.
“There’s also a major event at Abbey Park that day, which will generate extra traffic too – not forgetting the 170 football coaches that will be heading for the area around the stadium.
“Please bear this in mind, if you’re planning on driving into the city centre on Saturday, and allow extra time for your journey and expect car parks to be busier than normal.
“It will be a busy day on the roads – but it should also be a big day for Leicester, which I hope we’ll all enjoy.”
Alison Greenhill