Liverpool City Council has announced several amendments to the experimental parking zone surrounding Everton Stadium as well as a number of improvements to the area, since the new venue’s first test event.
The zone, introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), went live two weeks ago today (on Monday, 17 February) to coincide with Everton FC’s inaugural match at the stunning waterfront stadium at Bramley Moore-Dock.
A major public consultation was launched as part of the ETRO and the Council has so far received 4,895 responses.
Based on feedback from businesses and residents in the city’s North Docks community, as well as initial findings from that historic event, the Council will now implement changes to its operation.
The proposed amendments include:
- Applications for more than 10 business permits will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Note: Business permits cost £50 each. Resident and visitor permits are free.
- Safety-focussed enforcement of the zone on the second stadium test event, on Sunday, 23 March. (This will allow more time for businesses and residents to apply for permits and for the Council to investigate the level of appropriate enforcement during events.)
- The one-hour limited waiting restriction will be extended to two hours, where possible.
- Permit parking will be introduced in the Pumpfields area (i.e. the Blackstock Street, Paul Street, Pall Mall and Chisenhale Street areas.)
The process to modify the ETRO to implement these initial recommendations (including new signage) will begin to be enacted within the next three months.
The ETRO enables the Council to make these changes flexibly in the light of experience and analysis of their impact on a day-to-day basis. Further changes may also be made following the further two stadium Test Events, in March and May, and throughout the 18-month process up to August 2026.
In response to feedback from businesses, the Council will also explore the scope for on-street pay and display parking bays in key locations to identify options, where possible, for longer-stay parking.
A further series of improvements, identified from the first test event, will also now be implemented, including:
- A review of the event traffic management plan on road closures ahead of the second test event. This is to ensure closures are enacted and communicated more effectively.
- Improvements to Street Lighting on walking routes to and from the stadium.
- Improved pedestrian wayfinding signage between Sandhills station and City Centre stations and the stadium.
- Temporary signage to shuttle bus and taxi rank locations.
Following these amendments and improvements, the Council’s Highways team will continue to monitor the impact of the ETRO to determine whether this has positively assisted businesses, visitors, and public opinion and if other amendments are required.
When and where do the ETRO measures apply?
The new measures introduced in the zone, which radiates out via a 30-minute walk from the stadium, operate between the hours of 10am to midnight each day.
North of Boundary Street, the zone is operative 1 August to 30 June. South of Boundary Street it is operative 12 months of the year. This is except for the Great Homer Street area, which operates 8am to midnight all year round.
The ETRO is to run until August 2026, but Liverpool City Council will be seeking to review and amend the measures within the first six months before the new football season begins in August. The measures can be made permanent before August 2026, subject to agreement.
What about Blue Badge holders?
Blue Badge holders can park for as long as they need to within the permit parking areas in the experimental zone, and for up to three hours on a yellow line (unless a loading ban is in place). Badge holders can also park on yellow lines, unless there is a loading restriction, but they will need to clearly display their badge and blue parking clock as well as ensuring the vehicle is not causing an obstruction.
For Blue Badge holders wishing to attend a football match at the stadium, Everton FC is in the process of exploring how it enhances its current parking offer to complement other transport arrangements such as the free shuttle bus service for disabled fans.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “Since the Experimental Parking Zone went live on the day of Everton’s first test event, the Council has been listening to all the feedback and analysing what we can do to make improvements.
“We understand the concerns being raised by businesses, residents and fans and we’ve wasted no time in assessing the necessary amendments that can be introduced as quickly as possible.
“The measures that can be amended to alleviate concerns on issues like waiting times and number of permits will be considered as a priority. The major concerns from the first event around road closures and street lighting are also being addressed to ensure they are remedied by the second test event at the end of March.
“We are also working closely with colleagues at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseytravel and Merseyrail on their plans for public transport provision and we are in in active dialogue with them and Everton to ensure changes and improvements are made.”
Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “Given this is an experimental zone and we are in the test event stage, lessons are being learned all the time.
“I want to reassure everyone the Council is actively looking to make the necessary improvements to help businesses, residents and fans as much as possible, especially as we build up to the final test event in May and then the start of the new football season in August.
“The Council is keen to continue talking to businesses to explain the process and to hear how the measures and amendments are impacting their staff and customers and how we can work together to make improvements quickly.
“A key aim of the Experimental Zone is tackling the problem of commuter parking 365 days a year, as well as illegal and unsafe parking on double yellow lines and pavements. These issues impact the area all year round and it’s vital we get this right to support its economic development and to tackle congestion, especially as more businesses set up here and more residential schemes are developed.”
- People can have their say on the ETRO public consultation by going to: www.liverpool.gov.uk/bramleymooreETRO
- If you have specific queries that aren’t covered by our comprehensive online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or wish to provide further feedback – please email: bramleymooredockETRO@liverpool.gov.uk
