A huge row has broken out over proposals to introduce parking charges at one of London’s most famous grassroots football venues.
Hackney council is proposing to charge drivers up to £5.70 per hour – more than the cost of parking at the nearby Westfield shopping centre – to park at Hackney marshes.
Hackney Marshes is where former Chelsea and England captain John Terry played amateur football, and where a young David Beckham would go training when he lived with his family in Leytonstone.
More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the charges, which clubs say will harm efforts to encourage children and adults to play sport.
Comment: Parking charges would decimate grassroots football on Hackney Marshes
Petition organiser Riza Demirbas, who runs the Onetouchables FC men’s team, told The Standard that the charges being proposed by the council were “extortionate”.
He said: “I founded a community interest club myself. It’s about trying to keep kids out of trouble in hackney and support men’s mental health.
“No-one agrees with these charges. A lot of clubs are saying if this does happen, we are not going to be able to play football any more.”
The council has erected signs in the car park informing drivers of its plan to introduce charges from July.
The charges would apply seven days a week, from 8am until 6.30pm.
These would be £2.60 for zero emission cars, £3.70 for petrol cars registered from 2005, £4.70 for diesel vehicles registered from 2015 and £5.70 for all other vehicles and for payments made at machines.
In comparison, it costs £3.50 for an hour’s parking at the weekend at Westfield Stratford shopping centre, and £6.50 for two hours.
The signs at the car park only offer a QR code and email for people to send comments to the council.
Hundreds of people drive to the marshes at the weekend, either as players or to transport children to matches.
This can cause chaos as drivers try to enter or leave the two car parks – a situation worsened by many cars being parked on Homerton Road, which narrows the road and makes it harder for buses to get past.
A council spokesperson said: “We’re proud that Hackney marshes is the home of grassroots football, and we have put in huge investment in recent years to maintain and improve Hackney Marshes Centre and the pitches that are used by thousands of people from Hackney and across the capital every week.
“We know not everyone can access the marshes by public transport, which is why we provide two dedicated car parks.
“These proposals aim to ensure those who need to park can continue to do so affordably, with fees for most vehicles in line with similar facilities and only the most polluting paying the maximum charge.
“The fees we are proposing would bring parking at Hackney Marshes in line with all other council-managed car parks, help improve air quality in what is Hackney’s largest green space, and encourage those who can use sustainable forms of transport to do so.”
But Mr Demirbas said it was impossible for him to get to the marshes by public transport. “If you saw the size of my kit-bags – I have to carry 30 shirts and five footballs – you can’t get on the bus with that,” he said. “Logistically, its unfeasible.”
The nearest train stations - at Homerton and at Hackney Wick - are each more than a mile away, while the nearest Tube station is about two miles away at Stratford.
Only two bus routes serve the area.
He said clubs already paid considerable amounts to Hackney council to play on the marshes – a fee of £172 a month for two home games – even though the condition of the grass pitches was often no better than a “potato field”, due to a lack of investment by the council.
The petition states: “We… strongly oppose the decision to introduce hourly parking charges at Hackney Marshes Centre Car Park on Saturdays and Sundays — a change that directly threatens the grassroots sports community in Hackney.
“Hackney Marshes is not just a park — it's a vital hub for community football, youth development, and mental health initiatives.
“Every weekend, hundreds of people gather here: from youth teams and women’s clubs to adult leagues and charity-led groups promoting men's mental health.
“This green oasis has long been a place where the barriers of age, gender, and background dissolve, allowing all to participate in sport and community life together.
“Imposing parking fees will have a detrimental effect, discouraging participation due to increased costs.
“Many teams and individuals travel from across London to be part of this vibrant community, and the added financial burden could lead to reduced attendance.
“In particular, grassroots sports clubs, often operating on shoestring budgets, will be hit hardest.
“The importance of free access to Hackney Marshes cannot be overstated—it is where future sporting talent is nurtured and where lifelong friendships and community bonds are formed.”
The pitches were visited by London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan during the 2021 mayoral election, when he learned about the vital role they played in encouraging young Londoners into sport.
The visit took an unexpected turn when the mayor performed a “bunny hop” on an Evening Standard reporter’s bike.
After hearing that @ShaunBaileyUK had a ride on my bike, @SadiqKhan said: “But did he do a bunny hop?”
— Ross Lydall (@RossLydall) April 22, 2021
Then this happened... pic.twitter.com/72pdZzxD3S
The petition adds: “Moreover, the introduction of parking charges contradicts the council's commitment to fostering inclusion and well-being. Increasing costs for participants and volunteers undermines efforts to make sports accessible for everyone, regardless of economic background.
“We implore Hackney Council to reconsider this policy. The community impact is profound and undeniable, and the financial benefit is minimal in comparison.
“By revoking these charges, the council will demonstrate its true dedication to maintaining Hackney Marshes as the heart of its community.”
The petition is here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-hackney-marshes-centre-car-park-parking-charges
