People back club growth but fear big crowd effect
THE walk to Edgeley Park from Stockport train station goes past rows of terraced houses and winding streets, the floodlights welcoming fans towards the home of Stockport County for more than a hundred years.
It’s a sight that’s becoming less common, with a trend of football teams building new stadiums away from their spiritual home.
There are no such plans in Stockport as the club wants to expand Edgeley Park to 18,000 seats, a move it believes would offer a better experience for fans and benefit the entire town.
The team are fighting for promotion from League Two this season, and the 10,000-seater stadium has been packed with fans cheering the team on to success.
But, around the ground, there are growing fears that parking and traffic could become a huge problem.
It’s a view shared by some Edgeley residents who told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that there needs to be a clear plan to manage parking if the stadium is expanded.
The club has launched a consultation on its plans and has promised to offer ‘quick and easy routes’ to and from Edgeley Park as part of any work to expand the stadium.
If approved in future, the expansion would see more seats added to the north and east stands, and the redevelopment of the south stand to increase its capacity.
The club is also creating a new travel plan, which will encourage fans to travel to matches using sustainable modes of travel and minimise the impact on the local community.
Residents were largely supportive of the plans to expand Edgeley Park, but they said parking is a problem. A parking permit scheme is in place to try to limit problems on match days, but some said it is still an issue.
Caroline Gregory, 48, lives on Worrall Street next to the stadium. She said: “I think it’s ridiculous, the street can only just cope as it is. People can park where they like here.
“We can cope with ten thousand fans but not any more and when they build up it’s going to block our sunlight.”
Jenny Wood, 43, who lives on Moscow Road, said: “We have parking permits on match days but it does make it difficult when the roads get parked on.
“There will be disruption and parking needs to be managed carefully – but I think the stadium and the effect it has on Edgeley is a positive thing, it’s something we are really proud of having.”
Stockport County fan Craig Egan, 37, who lives on Robinson Street, added: “Parking has not really been an issue, we’ve got parking permits we can use.
“There’s a lot of places in Stockport where people can park. If the stadium expands it’s good for the club I think and the area because fans spend their money around here in the chippys and pubs.”
Tim Bennett, 57, who lives on Petersburg Road, said: “Good luck to them. I don’t follow football or drive, I think it will cause more congestion but only on the weekends and match days.
“There are more cars and people on match days but I don’t have a problem with it. You have to accept that if you have a football ground we are going to get noise.”
Edgeley Park is owned by Stockport council, and the club works closely with the town hall on matters such as the stadium lease.
Councillor Matt Wynne, leader of the Edgeley Community Association (ECA), backed the expansion plans, but said residents need to be listened to as part of the planning process.
He said: “ECA Councillors were invited in to Edgeley Park (EP) and were shown the plans by the chairman to develop the ground and more or less double its capacity in line with the ambitions of the football club to progress up through the Football League. The plans are bold and ambitious and will bring EP into the 21st century.
“We are of the belief that when County do well, Edgeley does well – it’s a symbiotic relationship. Our job now is to ensure residents are heard as part of the planning application process and that parking issues that already exist – never mind in the future – are addressed now without delay. We’ve led on a parking survey in SK3 and the results are due back in April.
“If residents give an indication in support, we expect to announce a package of proposals such as extending the matchday parking zone across Edgeley to cover the main neighbourhood area to the north of Edgeley Road and Mercian Way and the ECA.
“It has taken the council two years just to get to this stage, we can’t have any further dithering.”
Ken Knott, non-executive chairman for Stockport County, said: “At the very heart of the club is the community it serves, Stockport County’s continued success continues to provide a halo effect for the town, socially through the incredible work Stockport County’s community trust delivers and economically thanks to the club’s growing matchday attendance.
“The club’s expansion plans are linked to the club’s progression, our aim is to create a better matchday experience with facilities which are open to the community.
“As part of the consultation, we’re taking a holistic approach to travel, developing better relationships with local parking providers such as NCP to provide discounted matchday parking, better parking at the ground for staff and importantly encouraging more sustainable modes of travel from fans.”
The consultation about plans to expand the stadium is open until Wednesday, April 3, and includes public drop-in sessions.