Rangers fan group hits out at Ibrox parking ban
A RANGERS fan group has hit out at Glasgow City Council plans to introduce a parking ban around Ibrox Stadium on match days.
Club 1872 say that 94.5 per cent of their members are against the proposals, which could come into force next season.
The parking controls would prevent supporters from parking within a zone around the stadium on match days.
The council say the zone would be in place at Ibrox Stadium three hours before the event starts and up to one hour after it finishes.
Residents living within the dedicated zone would be able to apply for parking permits.
The plans are intended to relieve the heavy traffic congestion which makes life a misery for residents on game days.
Club 1872, however, wrote to the council’s Land and Environmental Services highlighting their concerns.
In the letter, the group state: “Many of our members have questioned whether the parking restrictions will simply push the problems they aim to resolve further afield. Displacement of the issues reported by local residents may affect residents outside the exclusion zone. What are the council’s plans, if any, to prevent that happening?
“We have also heard from elderly and disabled Rangers supporters who are genuinely concerned about how the proposals will restrict their access to the stadium. Similarly, we have heard from parents of disabled children who already face the struggle of getting from their cars to the stadium. Forcing them to park further away will obviously cause them further difficulties.”
The group have also asked if the parking ban would apply to non-residential areas citing small commercial units in Helen Street as a place to park due to the fact these businesses don’t trade on Saturdays.
Andy Waddell, head of infrastructure services at Glasgow City Council’s land and environmental services, explained the proposals were drawn because the area is negatively effected by current parking practices.
A council spokeswoman added: “These proposals are subject to consultation. No decision is taken as yet.”