Double yellow lines to tackle football parking woes

Double yellow lines have been painted on roads near a football club in Leicestershire after residents said spectators' cars were blocking roads and pavements surrounding the ground.

Anstey Nomads Football club has expanded from 20 teams to 60 in the past five years, but people living nearby said there were parking issues on match and training days.

Leicestershire County Council introduced "no waiting at any time" double yellow lines on parts of Cropston Road, King Williams Way, Rowan Drive, and Link Road on Monday.

Some residents said they feared restrictions would push parking issues to surrounding roads. The football club welcomed the lines and said it advised visiting teams to use car parks.

Orlando Brancaccio, who lives in Cropston Road where the new lines have been painted, said on Sundays it was "pretty bad" and it would take "anywhere between five and 15 minutes" to get off his drive.

The 35-year-old said cars would park all the way down both sides of the road.

"When buses are trying to get past, that is when you can get roadblocks, and it can take even longer," he said.

Brancaccio said leaving the house with his child in a pram was "nearly impossible" as there was not enough space on the already narrow path when cars were parked on the pavement.

"Normally you have to cross the road and go round the obstructions," he added.

He said he was "excited" about the new restrictions.

"It means, finally, we are not going to have people blocking our view trying to come out.

"It takes a lot of stress off your mind when you have a baby in the back seat," he said.

Brancaccio added: "However, it does mean they are going to be pushing the cars back into Anstey and other roads are going to be affected by the build-up, and other families will have to deal with it.

"That is not a complete solution."

Nick Dunn, 61, who lives near the football club but does not have double yellow lines outside his property, believed parking was going to be "bad".

He said: "They'll try and get as many as they can down here.

"It's gonna be worse isn't it?"

Resident Steve Fitches, who lives nearby but also does not have the restrictions outside his house, said: "It is what it is - [they] will be parking up and down here, but it's only for four or five hours and then it's clear again so no big deal."

Deborah Taylor, Anstey's Conservative borough councillor, said: "This area has been an issue for many years.

"With increasing vehicle usage, road and pedestrian safety has become a serious issue."

She said she hoped the new double yellow lines would keep Cropston Road clear, and help the football club keep the area safe for young people.

"There are car parks in The Nook for people to park, a short walk away from the football club," she added.

Conrad Logan, vice-chairmain of Anstey Nomads, said: "The only little bit of negativity we get is the parking here on a Sunday with the juniors, so if we can get some help on that then it's going to help everyone."

The 40-year-old added: "We're fully supporting the yellow lines.

"The only problem, in my opinion, is [it] may push the traffic a little bit further out, so we've got car parks in the village which we advise all our visiting teams to use."

The football club has said the lack of pitches in the area for the growing number of junior members who meet on a Sunday was one of the reasons for the parking issues near the ground in Cropston Road.

A spokesperson for Charnwood Borough Council said: "We are aware of current shortfalls in Anstey and have been actively working with local clubs, the Leicestershire FA, the Football Foundation and Anstey Parish Council to address issues and secure future provision."

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