ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Not so convenient after all

Various reports in the past week have clouded the issue regarding parking at the proposed stadium. There have been reports that only 1,000 spaces will be available, which would cater for 3,000 to 4,000 fans.

Given the projections of crowds in excess of 45,000, that's not many at all.

In his responses to fans' questions, Mr Wyness gave the following answer: "In terms of car parking, the government demands any new stadia are built with a green transport plan, which means there are a limited number of car parking spaces available on site. However, we have already identified park-and-walk and park-and-ride schemes that will make it a very easy stadium to access."

So, it's confirmed. The ordinary fans will be either parking and walking (but no mention of where and how far, even though they have been "identified"), or using a Park and Ride.

A report in tonight's Liverpool Echo clears that one up ? A giant Park-and-Ride facility will be built at Aintree racecourse to cater for both Kirkby and the new Anfield.

Suddenly, it's not the convenient drive up to the ground that has been portrayed.

There's talk of Mersey Tram being resurrected, but seeing as how it was cancelled due to rising costs, and Merseytravel saying they could sell the steel stock they bought at the time for a profit, due to rising prices, where is the additional funding for that going to come from? Some upgrading of the rail line is possible, but it's still one line.

Another assertion is that by moving to Kirkby, we enhance our catchment area within 45 minutes drive from 1.3 Million to 4 million people. Why those people are put off by the extra 10 minutes it would take to get to Goodison, I don't know, but central to the premise of attracting them is that they will come by car. If they are going to have to queue for buses before and after the game, they're not going to come back.

If you're currently a "yes" voter, have a think about how you are going to get to the game. Are you happy with Park and Ride? Are there adequate public transport links from where you live? It takes me 15 minutes to get to where I park for Goodison, and another 10 minutes or so to walk up.

For Kirkby, if I drove I would have to allow a fair amount of time for the Park and Ride, and if I took public transport, it's either two or three buses, or two trains.

I appreciate it won't be that bad for everyone, but I'll bet it's worse for most.

Progress?
Dave Thompson, Crosby Posted 01/08/2007 at 21:04:01

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Comments

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jez c
1 Posted 01/08/2007 at 21:48:16

the advantage Goodison has is, its location. There are approx 6 - 8 differents ways to vacate Goodison whether it be either way along Queens Drive, the East Lancs, various routes into town and to the tunnels etc, whereas Kirkby for the majority of fans would have 1 or possibly 2

Anyone who has had the misfortune of going to the Reebok will testify how difficult it is to get away from the ground and they only get 23000 fans

With the 1000 parking spaces no doubt being taken up by Buster’s corporate brigade then the closest the rest of us are going to get to parking at the new ground would probably be 4 miles - I wonder if Buster is planning a park and ride from Goodison

Roy coyne
2 Posted 02/08/2007 at 00:04:59

As a fan who is less able to walk these days this has caused me concern if it is poor then my only option will be not to go so 50 years of match going ends thanks Kenwright

Pete
3 Posted 02/08/2007 at 02:55:18

Stadium and car parking is as much an issue re what happens to Goodison I feel: Indeed, complex and emotive the whole stadium issue sure is, which is a shame since top flight football is big business both now and in future. I believe a key problem re the ballot is that it should really be a business decision (because we need better revenue/profitability to have realistic hope of living up to our NSNO ideal). But asking fans to vote is in danger of leading to the wrong business decision, since there is a risk that emotion will play too big a part than is healthy in the decision. I genuinely fear a wrong business decision will have dire consequences for Everton on and off the pitch. Not least because the Club will be in a much weaker bargaining position should it subsequently try to upgrade Goodison or relocate elsewhere in the City at a future point.

Dreaming of a billionaire white knight sugar daddy is not helpful either as Everton has too rich a history to gamble with. In my opinion, not least because no suitable candidate has made themselves visible up to now, it is likely that (should one emerge) they will be unlikely to have the Club’s best interests at heart.

Whilst it is very difficult, I believe emotion needs to be kept in check as much as possible re this sensitive and complex footballing business decision. One big fear I find hard to kepp emotion in check over is that of the fear that Goodision could be turned into a car park for the reds! That is just 100% unacceptable as far as I’m concerned. The vision of a red getting out of his car and spitting on the ground where Ted Sagar’s ashes are scattered or from where Dixie leapt to score his 60th league goal in a season is just not acceptable as far as I’m concerned, whatever the business case!

Brian Waring
4 Posted 02/08/2007 at 12:37:04

Just a bit of advice to all the lads who come from afar to watch us play. If we do end up moving to Kirkby. Remember to load into your sat navs, Kirkby, Knowsley. If you put in "Kirkby, Liverpool" it will just come up, "Destination not recognized."