Residents denied match day parking restrictions

Neighbours of cricket and rugby grounds in Leeds called for parking restrictions on match days

People living around Headingley Stadium have been told no parking restrictions will be brought in on match days, despite "overwhelming" support for the idea.

Residents in the area have long complained about anti-social parking on cricket and rugby match days at the Leeds venue.

England internationals, Yorkshire cricket matches and Leeds Rhinos games take place at the complex throughout the year.

But Leeds City Council said the criteria for a permit scheme had not been met.

It follows a verbal address to the council by local residents about various parking issues across Headingley and Hyde Park in September.

In a written response published this week, the council acknowledged a 2021 consultation had found an "overwhelming majority" had backed the introduction of a parking permit scheme on match days at Headingley.

'Not considered appropriate'

This would effectively ban visiting spectators from leaving their cars outside people's homes.

Such initiatives are in place on estates around other international cricket venues, such as Old Trafford in Manchester.

But the local authority said that while some vehicles were left "too close to junctions", most parking was "safe and unobstructive".

Its report concluded: "In the case of the rugby fixtures, and the shorter cricket formats, the parking influx generally happens for a period of a few hours, and it is not considered appropriate to introduce resident permit parking in this area for such short duration events."

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