Parking ban planned for road by football pitches

No waiting restrictions would apply along part of Arrowe Book Road

Parking could be banned on a busy road near playing fields in Merseyside where hundreds of girls play football each weekend.

Wirral Council is considering restrictions banning waiting at any time on the north side of Arrowe Brook Road in Upton by the Arrowe Park pitches.

The authority has safety concerns caused by drivers parking "nose to tail" along the route during matchdays, blocking access to homes and footways.

But several people have complained to the council that its plans will force parents and families visiting the playing fields to pay for parking at a nearby council car park.

The council has said the changes, which will be discussed at a meeting on 20 October, would not ''prevent anybody from accessing the green spaces in the area or from partaking in sports.''

Arrowe Park hosts matches in the Wirral and Cheshire girls' football leagues and 200 girls play there every weekend over 12 pitches.

'Inconsiderate'

A council report found the "obstructive parking" had been reported before 13:00 on weekends when the matches take place, but said staggering games was not an option

The costs to introduce new road markings and signs to ban drivers waiting would be about £3,000, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The report said: "The proposed parking restrictions are intended to prevent obstructions, dangerous and inconsiderate parking, increase visibility, and protect vulnerable road users."

About 50 people raised objections to the plans, which they said could make parking more challenging, and put parents off from visiting the playing fields.

One person suggested the parents should be permitted to park until midday.

However, the council said parking has affected footways on both sides, making it extremely difficult for pedestrians to navigate the area.

Some officers also raised concerns about the potential obstruction of a key emergency route to and from Arrowe Park Hospital.

It was also pointed out that the south side of the road will remain unrestricted.