Derby Pride Park event clash woes 'unavoidable', says report

A travel plan for the velodrome has indicated that event clashes cannot be avoided

A new velodrome in Derby will only have room for 79 vehicles in its 1,200-space car park when events clash with Derby County matches, a new report has revealed.

The city council originally said it wanted to avoid clashes to prevent parking issues and traffic congestion.

But, officers have admitted avoiding that is impossible to guarantee.

While mainly for cycling, the 5,000-seater £28m venue at Pride Park could also host events, like concerts.

Details have been released in a Travel Plan for the velodrome.

It notes there are 1,179 car parking spaces around the venue, which will be known as Derby Arena, and includes the Park and Ride.

However, when Derby County play at the nearby iPro stadium, only 79 will be available.

The council predicts one concert a month will be staged at the venue when it opens next year.

Chris Doidge, BBC Radio Derby political reporter

When the council was applying for planning permission in January 2012 it made a promise about how it would be used.

Now the travel plan indicates something of a u-turn. It admits it's not actually possible to prevent clashes at the iPro and the velodrome and predicts this could happen once every two years.

The plan acknowledges the number of clashes could increase if Derby County get into the Premier League.

The Pride Park estate just can't cope even if there's only one event at the velodrome.

The council is assuming that a third of people will cycle or walk. But in the worst case-scenario the council says people will have to park in the city centre, at the Cattle Market, University of Derby or at Markeaton Park - and get buses.

It is hoped the velodrome will also be used for concerts and larger events

The plan states that because football matches can be scheduled at short notice for television or cup ties, and concert promoters putting on extra dates, occasions when both venues are in use will be likely.

To cope, the council says car parks in other areas of the city will have to be used, and visitors will have to "use their local knowledge" for available street parking.

Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of the Conservatives on the council, said pre-existing problems of inconsiderate parking in residential streets must be considered.

He said: "That has to be avoided at all costs and of the various elements of feedback we have to get back to the council, that is one of them."

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, said co-ordination was important.

"We need to make sure the capacity for parking around Pride Park is maximised and that we have co-ordination between what happens at the velodrome and at the football ground," he said.

The council's report will be considered in the near future.