Everton fans have requested a meeting with Liverpool City Council, Merseytravel and the Merseyside Police to discuss transport and access issues regarding the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees' spectacular new 52,000-capacity home, which had construction costs of around £800 million, has been a joy for the Everton faithful and traveling supporters to experience so far this season, but serious logistical issues have arisen.
This week, the Everton Fan Advisory Board made public their concerns surrounding transport and accessibility issues at the new stadium and are in the process of scheduling a meeting with the aforementioned official bodies.
In light of the news, some of the Everton supporters have also outlined their concerns regarding safety and logistical issues at the Hill Dickinson, which are blighting their matchday experiences.
Everton Fans Call for Changes at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton's Hill Dickinson stadium
Everton's Hill Dickinson stadium
Infrastructure issues in the surrounding area of the Hill Dickinson Stadium have led to major issues with transport for the local fanbase, leading to large queues at train stations, severe levels of congestion around the new stadium and tripping hazards on walking routes.
As a result, the Everton Fan Advisory Board has requested a meeting with the local authorities, to "review the effectiveness of current short-term measures" and "discuss the council's long-term vision and strategy for sustainable transport and access to the stadium and docklands."
The FAB added: "While acknowledging recent steps already taken, it is clear that concerns remain around lighting, pedestrian safety, and access."
Although the reaction to the new 52-000-seater stadium has been vastly successful, some Everton season ticket holders further revealed their personal struggles with the ongoing accessibility issues at the Hill Dickinson.
In reply to the Everton Fan board's post, one Everton fan said: "I am disabled and after 1 trip to the stadium I know I cannot go again. I cannot take the risk of the long walk on my health - heart condition. I cannot get a parking space within a reasonable distance. I cannot reply on public transport to get me home."
A fellow Toffees supporter added: "Can you ask why the water street street lights don’t work at night? huge crowd walking down a street in the pitch black."
A third noted: "People are literally falling over when they leave the ground due to the cycle lane paving and lack of lighting !! Please do something about it before someone gets really hurt."
Discussing further supporter safety concerns, another fan posted: "Thank you for this. The walk back to Moorfields has so many trip hazards you can’t possibly see in a crowd that deep."
Additionally, one Everton fan claimed that the new public transport system for the Hill Dickinson is "inadequate" compared to its predecessor, Goodison Park. They said: "I think reevaluating the car parking situation would help matters - Many (me included) in fact, the majority, of people who drove to Goodison have no other option than to use, the wholly inadequate, public transport."
A sixth fan added: "Something needs to be done. Love the stadium. Hate leaving, travel is abysmal."
Following the international break, Everton return to Premier League action with a trip to Manchester United before hosting Newcastle United, and the Toffees faithful will be hoping that some of the logistical issues taking place around the Hill Dickinson Stadium are resolved.