More work needed on Everton parking plan - council

The council accepted changes to the scheme were not coming quickly enough

A controversial parking scheme surrounding Everton's new stadium is not fully fit for purpose, Liverpool City Council has admitted.

Business owners in the area around the club's new Bramley Moore Dock stadium have said they face closure due to a fall in trade caused by year-round restrictions which limit previously free street parking.

In a meeting at Blackstock Market, businesses met council officers about the scheme and said changes to some limitations made earlier this week do not go far enough.

The council accepted changes to the scheme were not coming quickly enough for business and encouraged feedback as part of the ongoing consultation process.

MP Kim Johnson, who attended the meeting on Thursday, said an initial consultation had only covered match day and event parking and not the year-round restrictions introduced.

The meeting was held at the Blackstock Market building

While the MP for Liverpool Riverside said the new stadium was "amazing" for the area, she said if the restrictions in place continue it would "likely result in businesses closing and we can't afford for that to happen".

"These businesses play an integral role in our city," she said.

"The businesses are not against matchday and event parking but this is 365 days a year," she said.

Paul Blair, who owns Blackstock Market which hosted the meeting, said it's now "time for action".

"There is too many businesses affected and they're obviously not happy with the speed of the decisions being made, it's just not good enough."

In a statement, the council said it was encouraging businesses and the public to provide feedback.

It said: "The review of the measures is an ongoing process and the council is open to making further amends, if necessary, over the coming months, based on an analysis of the data and public feedback."