Bolton Wanderers asked to help find parking solution by Horwich Town Council

Bolton Wanderers say they hold regular meeting with residents and have taken measures – but called for partnership working to resolve issues around parking.

During this month’s town council meeting this week Cllr Steven Chadwick brought forward a motion to attempt to address the increasing pressure that Horwich is facing with regards to parking

The motion also discussed the fact that on matchdays and when the University of Bolton Stadium is hosting other events, Horwich is experiencing parking issues.

Cllr David Grant, who sits on Horwich Town Council, says that due to recent resurgence of the club, increased ticket sales have led to more needing to be accommodated on matchdays – hence surrounding areas such as Horwich suffering by a mass of vehicles parking there.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers car parking cameras raise planning questions

He added: “It’s going back to the Premier League days when cones had to be put outside people’s house to stop people parking there, but that’s not happening. People are being blocked into their drives.”

Cllr Grant says that the town council can act as a conduit between the residents and the club to try and find a solution.

He said: “The motion that was approved at the meeting was that Horwich Town Council will approach the club to see if there is anything they can do to address the issue.

Cllr David Grant (Image: David Grant)

“Failing that we will then approach Bolton Council to see if anything that can be done to ease the pressure.

“Horwich Town Council’s powers are quite limited. This is a police issue and a Bolton Wanderers issue and we’re essentially asking them to be good neighbours on matchdays.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Wanderers said: "We are meeting on a quarterly basis with a local residents’ group from the housing estate located on the Middlebrook, which is helpfully chaired by Cllr Susan Baines, to discuss the concerns of local residents regarding parking, traffic flow and any other matters around match-day or event operations.

"We want to work in harmony with the residents in the area and to understand their concerns, recognising that the only solutions to some of the issues need to be a partnership with club, residents, local council and neighbourhood policing.

"With this in mind, two representative residents have been asked to attend the last two Safety Advisory Group meetings made up of personnel from all relevant parties involved in match day operations.   

"It was agreed at the last meeting that this group should expand and look to include representatives of residents from the wider surrounding area. This was to be an action of the residents themselves.

"We also gave residents signs to place out in the streets that request people to respect the neighbours of the club and not to park on the residential streets. In the match-day pack, sent out prior to every fixture / event we will urge this message to be taken seriously and for people to use the official car parks.

Wanderers players celebrate Amadou Bakayoko's opening goal in a 4-1 win at home to Crewe Alexandra earlier this season (Image: Newsquest)

"Unfortunately, the club have no authority to be able to place cones or any traffic restrictions in residential areas but are continuing to work with all the partners, including police and council to investigate any further options that could help in these matters."

A lack of parking spaces is a longstanding problem in Horwich.

READ MORE: Horwich businesses want council help to increase footfall

In the wake of a number of businesses folding in recent times, many of the remaining traders want to see action in this regard in order to increase footfall in the town.

Cllr Grant said: “In the town centre regeneration, there are some plans for parking.

“The demand is there but there is nowhere to park and nowhere to put new car parks. Horwich is quite a built-up area.

“We do offer free parking all day in Horwich, and sometimes it’s the businesses themselves that take up the spaces.

“We would never charge for parking in Horwich, but we may restrict the amount to time you can park. This hasn’t been agreed yet.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18