Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Parking at Dens: The fans’ views
MOST Dundee FC supporters will be pleased about their team’s performances on the pitch at Dens Park this season.
However, the club’s managing director, John Nelms, and firm Dark Blue Properties want to build a stadium development west of Camperdown Park.
It could ease traffic in Dundee city centre due to its location near the Kingsway and provide more accessible parking than in streets surrounding Dens Park, which was opened in 1899.
But what are supporters’ experiences of travelling to games and parking? I went to Dens Park for the 3pm kick-off last Sunday to find out.
The two Old Firm teams bring the largest travelling support to Scottish Premiership matches and there was a large Celtic following in the city for the Dark Blues’ first post-split fixture.
I arrived in the area at about 1.10pm to give myself plenty of time to find a parking space. The roads were busy but not overly congested as I drove up Dens Road. Many residents had taken parking spaces on the street, but it didn’t take me long to find a spot about halfway up Caird Avenue.
It was then a five-minute walk to Sandeman Street and at this point there was more activity on Tannadice Street.
Celtic supporters were gathering before entering the Bob Shankly Stand.
One fan I spoke to had travelled from Newton Stewart in Wigtownshire, leaving at 9.15am. “It’s the same at every stadium – and every stadium is difficult”, he said.
“When they were built there weren’t two or three cars for every family, so there was plenty of parking.
“If they move to Camperdown there’s going to be plenty of space as parking at Dens Park is all in the side streets.”
He added: “Why don’t the two clubs – Dundee and Dundee United – just join together and build a 35,000-seater stadium?”
So, could the new stadium development offer better parking options?
Some Celtic supporters believe the proposed Camperdown complex could bring parking benefits.
Robert Mcconville and Dougie Ure have travelled by car from Glasgow.
“We parked next to Dundee North End Football Club,” said Robert. “It’s handy for getting back on the motorway and away back home again.
“But if it’s easy access to get to Camperdown then I don’t see how it would be a problem. I imagine it will be something like the St Johnstone idea.” St Johnstone’s Mcdiarmid Stadium is located just off the A9, on the outskirts of Perth, and has an extensive car park for supporters.
Among the Camperdown proposals is a 12,500-seater stadium, residential units, a crematorium and a 800-space car park.
“If it’s easy access and good roads then it should be easy enough to get away”, continued Robert.
“But a lot of the time when we’re travelling to games – whether it be at Ross County, Aberdeen or Dundee – there will always be roadworks.”
As kick-off approaches, more Dundee FC supporters start to gather near the ticket office on Sandeman Street and we caught up with John Flynn, Graeme Kermath and Colin Petrie as they polished off a late lunch of bridies.
“We know where to park because we’re experienced at coming to games,” said Colin.
“For teams travelling to Dundee, Camperdown would be straight down the Kingsway and you wouldn’t have to go through the congested city.”
Graham, from Glenrothes, said:
“A lot of people are concerned as there maybe aren’t as many pubs and stuff like that (near Camperdown).
“We go away quite a lot and some of the places are pretty hard to get parked at. If you’re going to Easter Road or Tynecastle it can be quite difficult – you’re better getting the tram or the bus in.”
He said parking options at Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and St Mirren are much the same.
Dens Park’s location means that many home supporters – and Dundee-based Celtic fans – walk to the match from nearby neighbourhoods. However, those living outside the city have to use public transport or their own vehicles.
Grant Anderson and John Iannetta have few complaints about congestion or parking.
“We’ve been coming to the games here for 43 years and have never had an issue travelling in,” said Grant, who lives in Edinburgh.
“A lot of supporters come from outside Dundee,” added John, from Newport-on-tay. “Maybe about 20% don’t live in Dundee so there are a lot who travel to the city for games, but we have spaces we know we can park in.”