The Everton Fan Advisory Board (FAB) said greater consideration must be given to shelter, facilities, accessibility, queue management and the overall supporter experience
Everton supporters outside Sandhills station
Everton supporters outside Sandhills station
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An Everton supporters’ group has called for changes at the train station serving the club’s stadium amid an ongoing row. This week senior councillors apologised after they compared Sandhills Station to Nazi Germany. The Everton Fan Advisory Board (FAB) said “significant improvement” was still required for match going supporters.
Merseyrail had asked Liverpool Council to sign off on proposals to extend the queuing area used by fans but concerns about the site were raised by members of the planning committee last week. As a result, they have been put on hold.
Now the FAB has said the proposals for Sandhills must be “revisited urgently” with “greater consideration given to shelter, facilities, accessibility, queue management and the overall supporter experience.” A full site visit will now take place to assess the application before making a final decision.
Daniel Hopkins, presenting to the committee on behalf of Merseyrail earlier this week, said following test events at the station and stadium “it was clear there was a requirement for improvements to safety in that capacity and some of the facilities we have there.” He said existing Merseytravel land would be used to make those changes through use of extended “corralling zones.”
This would extend the existing fan management zone along the strip of land between Dunes Way and the existing station ramp to the foot bridge. Mr Hopkins said the current arrangement left passengers vulnerable on the pavement queuing outside the station.
This would remain uncovered however, which one city councillor called a “glaring omission.” That view was shared by the FAB who said: “The development of Hill Dickinson Stadium was no secret.
“It was planned and constructed over several years, and the challenge of moving tens of thousands of supporters to and from Liverpool’s waterfront was entirely foreseeable. Supporters therefore have every right to expect local authorities and transport providers to work together with urgency to deliver the best possible solution.
“Our priority is to ensure the safeguarding of our fans who are vulnerable, younger, female, or have disabilities.” The group said while an entirely new station “may not be realistic” to serve the stadium, it could not mean “accepting the status quo.”
Everton fans queuing at Sandhills after the pre-season friendly against Roma
Everton fans queuing at Sandhills after the pre-season friendly against Roma(Image: Liverpool Echo/Iain Watts)
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They wrote: “There remains a clear opportunity to make Sandhills more efficient, resilient and, crucially, more comfortable for the thousands of supporters who use it before and after every home game. The concern repeatedly raised with us is not simply the length of the wait, but the conditions in which supporters are asked to wait, particularly during the winter months.
“Exposure to wind, rain and cold in December or January is very different to the experience in August. We therefore believe the current proposals should be revisited urgently, with greater consideration given to shelter, facilities, accessibility, queue management and the overall supporter experience.”
While changes have been urged by the FAB, officials praised the work of Merseyrail staff at Sandhills who they said “work hard in challenging circumstances and engage positively with supporters.”
While the average wait time of 20 minutes was compared favourably with other stations serving football ground across the country, the supporters group said “That does not mean the existing facilities are good enough.” They added: “Our position is straightforward: if thousands of supporters need to wait before accessing the station, then that waiting experience should be made safer, more efficient and considerably more comfortable.
“It is perfectly possible to recognise the efforts of frontline staff while also expecting those responsible for the infrastructure to improve what is currently provided.” In the letter, sent to Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the FAB said it was now important to ensure upgrades were made that were fitting for the stadium the station serves.
Steve Rotheram at the new 'fan zone' at Sandhills Train Station
Steve Rotheram at the new 'fan zone' at Sandhills Train Station
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It added: “After years of planning and a full season of understanding how Sandhills operates with Hill Dickinson Stadium at capacity, there should now be sufficient evidence to deliver a solution that is safe, practical and befitting of a major city and a world-class sporting venue.”
In response, Mr Rotheram and Liverpool Council leader Liam Robinson, wrote to the FAB in which they said during Sunday fixtures, 41 additional trains are provided compared with the standard timetable, creating almost 17,000 additional passenger spaces. For Saturday 3pm fixtures, nine additional trains are operated, creating 4,374 additional spaces compared with the standard evening service pattern.
The pair said: "We agree with you that the matchday experience can and should continue to improve. Nobody enjoys standing in a queue after a football match, particularly during poor weather."
The Labour leaders said the proposals before Liverpool Council would increase queuing space by around 70%, creating capacity for an additional 3,500 fans. They added: "As Mayor of the Liverpool City Region and Leader of Liverpool Council respectively, we will continue working with Everton Football Club, Merseyrail, Merseyside Police, the British Transport Police, Network Rail, supporter representatives and all other relevant partners to ensure those improvements are delivered.
"Everton fans deserve nothing less."