Leeds United are exploring the possibility of supplying an additional 1,200 car parking spaces within its plan to expand Elland Road.
The main concern among civic leaders and residents regarding the planned expansion was the inevitable increased traffic around the roads of the stadium, which is set to grow to a capacity of 53,000 from 37,890.
At a Leeds City Council meeting in May, United chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg acknowledged that parking was “the most important issue to address in the next couple of months”.
Planning documents, submitted on Tuesday, outline that there are currently 2,740 car parking spaces for use at the stadium.
This is set to be reduced, with 200 of the 600 spots to be lost from Fullerton car park while the 94-space West Stand car park will be replaced by 40 secure spaces for players, Directors and other VIPs.
Accessible car parking will be relocated from a temporary location behind the North Stand to the park and ride site once work begins on the North Stand (phase two of the project). Away fan coach parking will be moved to the frontage of Elland Road.
Planning papers outline that the club has “identified an opportunity” to implement an additional 1,200 off-street parking spots on event days at White Rose Park, with this to be promoted as a park and walk facility. Though, this entails a 30-minute walk to Elland Road.
The emphasis of the Travel Plan of the project is to progress towards a more “car-lean environment” and promote the use of public transport. Surveys conducted by the club showed that 65% of current match-goers drive to games, with just 18% using public transport. The rest account for walking or cycling.
The aim is to reduce car usage to 51% by the time phase two of the expansion is completed, with the hope that public transport will be used by 42% of attendees. As a result there will be “no increase in on-street car parking in the immediate area as a result of the proposals, protecting local community amenities”.
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The overarching vision is for Leeds City Council’s Mass Transit scheme to interlock with the club’s expansion plans to trigger a regeneration of the Elland Road area. Two proposed transit routes run adjacent to the stadium, though work on the tram network will not commence until 2028, which is when phase one ground expansion is forecast to be completed.
Meanwhile, the council has launched a consultation period regarding the 30-acre regeneration project. However, the proposals in all could take up to 20 years to complete in its entirety.
There is a possibility that up to 2,000 homes and leisure facilities could be built on the designated land, while there could be the potential for a multi-storey car park if there is enough demand.
In the short-term, Leeds United will take over the running of car parks next year. Chiefs overseeing the project have underlined that there is no ‘silver bullet’ when it comes to vehicle management and that the onus is shared between Leeds United and Leeds City Council.
One planning document summarised: “The transport vision for the development is to maximise active, healthy and sustainable travel to Elland Road stadium, to maximise mode shift away from use of the private car and minimise the related effects of car-based travel to the stadium on the transport network and neighbouring environment.”
As for the development as a whole, the plans have gone down well with supporters. As much as 98% of respondents to a club questionnaire said they support the club’s overall plans while 99% support the local economic benefits it will bring.
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