FOOTBALL fans are being forced to park illegally on match days – with neighbours calling on Hearts to “do more” to avoid the congestion being caused.
Hearts fans have no allotted car parking space when visiting Tynecastle Stadium on game days. In a stadium that holds a little under 20,000 people, there’s been “little wonder” from fans as to why people take the risk to park illegally.
Hearts currently advertise as having “no special parking arrangements” per their website, only referencing areas available nearby for street parking.
One resident of Dundee Terrace, which is an eight minute walk from the football ground, said: “It happens obviously, but they’ve got to park somewhere.”
Another neighbour described the street during game days as “congested” and “jam packed,” noting that: “The football club should do more.”
Football journalist and Hearts fan Aaron Fraser said: “My dad has driven us to games at Tynecastle on too many occasions to count since I started going to games with him. It’s something we now avoid entirely due to the lack of spaces.
“Since the stadium is tightly packed into a residential area, there is very limited space for parking in the surrounding streets. If you’re wanting to get a space, arriving several hours before kick-off is basically the only viable option.”
Edinburgh City Councillor for Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart Christopher Cowdy said the issue of game day parking in residential areas was brought to his attention over a year ago, to which he responded with calls to introduce double yellow lines.
Promises have been made to Cowdy from Edinburgh City Council, but the solution is yet to be brought in.
Cowdy said: “It is a massive issue for Tynecastle and for match days and there is a stadium review being promised, lots and lots and lots and whether that would pick up I hope so."
There are no official plans to build an exclusive car park for Tynecastle Stadium, but one Merchiston Community Council member suggested that there should be accessible public transport schemes, which include reduced fares to dissuade people from driving.
“Transit validation” is a scheme in which sporting venues contract with public transport operators to allow all ticket holders to ride buses and trains for free on game days.
According to Bloomberg, it can reduce traffic congestion, save energy, and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
Seattle’s Husky Stadium introduced the concept in 1984 and saw a 17% increase in ticket holders arriving by public transit. It would also have the potential to encourage fans who live outside the city to commute for the game and reduce the rate of drunk driving after matches.
