Residents in an inner city community have voiced concerns that their streets could become a car park for the new 13,500-capacity Leeds Arena when it opens.
But council officers attempted to reassure people at a Little London Forum meeting last night that residents' parking zones would be enforced and that the community would experience no problems with overspill traffic from the new arena, which is due to open late 2012/early 2013.
Chris Coulson, from Leeds Council's arena project team, told the 20 or so residents at Little London Community Centre that anyone booking tickets for an event would be encouraged to reserve parking in the nearby Woodhouse and Merrion car parks. Signs will point drivers to other parking in the city should those car parks near capacity.
He added:
"We will look at the existing arrangements in the area. We will enforce the residents' parking scheme - I can assure you it will be maintained."
Coulson told residents that there would be up to 140 events a year at the arena, bringing in more than one million visitors. He said that nearby landowners 'who had ignored their properties' were now looking to upgrade.
But one local resident said:
"People working in the city centre are already parking here. If it happens during the day you can guarantee it'll happen at night. It needs better enforcement than we have now."
Another resident added that he was grateful for having an arena in Leeds, but did not want to see people parking everywhere.
Hyde Park and Woodhouse Labour councillor Gerry Harper said he and fellow ward members Javaid Akhtar and Liberal Democrat Penny Ewens would ensure that residents' parking schemes would be enforced. Harper, who chaired the meeting, added:
"We will make sure that Little London doesn't become a big car park."
Lee Arnell, from the council, added that Little London residents would benefit from an arena jobs fair to be held in the community.
The arena will be based just over five minutes' walk from Little London Community Centre.
Little London PFI project update
A multi-million pound project to rejuvenate run-down Little London has moved a step closer to reality this week.
The project - funded by a private finance initiative - will see hundreds of council properties refurbished and more social housing built in the community, which will also benefit from new public open space and a new community centre and housing office.
The two final bidders for the contract yesterday submitted their final proposals for the scheme, which had been delayed to allow the government to check financial and legal documents. It's hoped the preferred bidder will be announced in December, with contracts signed next summer once the government has scrutinised the deal.
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