Parking Chaos Feared Near AFC Wimbledon's New Stadium

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Nearby residents claim no extra provision made despite 600 new flats being built

Local resident Samir Kab says finding a space near his home is already difficult

AFC Wimbledon’s new stadium, 600 extra homes and a council rule change has caused parking chaos claim nearby residents.

Families are furious because they believe the new ground and recently built apartments surrounding it have opened in the area without enough parking being provided.

Now they fear it will cause an overflow of parking in their residential roads.

The new 9,300-capacity Plough Lane Stadium, that has a 20,000-capacity option, is in the London Borough of Merton but borders Wandsworth.

Earlsfield families have now spoken out, including father of four, Samir Kab, who says his chances of finding a parking space in his street are already down to about 10 per cent.

The 41-year-old said, “This is without the stadium and we are already struggling with the noise, because of the police station.

“We are not happy with this because we already are struggling to find spaces.”

Earlsfield resident Peter Smith added, “I don’t think I’d move but it will just be irritating with the extra traffic and maybe if I went out I wouldn’t be able to come and get a space back.

“Noise is not going to be good and if [fans] have had a few beers, it would be louder.”

From September, Wandsworth Council parking restrictions will be increased from 9.30am to 9.30pm, seven days a week.

Existing parking restrictions near the stadium to be extended

Currently, parking restrictions in many of the surrounding streets run from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Residents will have to pay extra for a new 12 hour permit or face being fined if they do not replace their old one and are parked outside their homes after 4.30pm, or on the weekend.

Labour’s Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, the MP for Tooting, said, “Changes to parking have been poorly communicated, rushed, and residents have not been properly consulted – Wandsworth Council are surging ahead despite just one-in-eight residents taking part in the original consultation.

“Wandsworth has some of the highest parking fees in the country – the council are using the AFC Wimbledon development as a cash-grab opportunity to fleece local residents.”

She added, “The simple solution here is to restrict parking on match days, which is a scheme used by other councils with stadiums.

“Wandsworth should do the same. In the meantime, Wandsworth Council should suspend the changes with immediate effect.”

Wandsworth Council has been contacted for a statement but said parking permits are £180, cheaper than some London boroughs where they can cost between £200 and £599.

 

James Mayer - Local Democracy Reporter

August 3, 2021