Council U-turn on Parking Near AFC Wimbledon Stadium

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Match day and event rather than week long restrictions now planned

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

Wandsworth Council has U-turned on a plan for week-long parking controls in residential areas around AFC Wimbledon’s new stadium.

Families were furious with the previous plans as they feared the Plough Lane Stadium and surrounding 600 apartments would cause an influx of cars in their cars – causing parking chaos.

Now the council will introduce match and event day only parking restrictions to controlled parking zones (CPZ) in Earlsfield, Garratt Green and Tooting.

This will extend the CPZ restrictions to 9.30am to 9.30pm from 1 October but only on match and event days, before the plan was for restrictions every day of the week.

The change is to protect Wandsworth residents’ parking spaces from an influx of football fans attending matches at AFC Wimbledon, which lies on the boundary of Merton and Wandsworth boroughs.

The council said the changes are on an “experimental basis” and will be reviewed.

Last week, Earlsfield residents spoke 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.”

The council’s transport spokesman Cllr John Locker said, “We are really keen to help local residents and protect them from the impact of a new 9,500 spectator stadium opening on their doorstep.

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has been in touch to tell us their preference for parking controls.”

He added: “After listening to local residents it made sense to amend the experimental scheme now rather than wait until after it was launched.

“We will monitor the match day only controls and continue to be flexible in order to get the balance right and a scheme that works for local people.”

Labour Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has been contacted for comment. She previously complained about the restrictions on behalf of residents to Wandsworth Council.

James Mayer - Local Democracy Reporter

August 9, 2021