Bolton police clamp down on poor parking during home matches

Officers have held meetings with the representatives from Bolton Wanderers Football Club and also with residents in the area surrounding the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park in Horwich.

Poor parking, particularly on match days, has been an issue of concern previously.

And on a recent matchday police cracked down on the issue and penalised bad parking.

A GMP spokesperson for Bolton West said: "PCSOs from the Bolton West team have had to issue tickets to some vehicles which have been parked in positions which create hazards to other road users and pedestrians.

"When visiting the area on a match days please park responsibly and give due consideration for residents in the area as well as other road users.

"Offences found include hazardous parking at junctions and blocking pavements."

The recent police action took place on Saturday, March 2, during the day when Wanderers hosted Cambridge United and recorded a 2-0 victory.

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Phil Mason, chief operating officer at Bolton Wanderers urged fans to park safely.

He said: “Chaired by a local councillor, we hold regular meetings with local residents, police and officers of Bolton Council to discuss these matters and take a multidisciplinary approach across all parties

“We encourage all fans to use the wide range of matchday car parks on offer, to park safely at all times and to avoid parking in residential areas where it could cause obstruction and disruption.”

Ward councillor Peter Wright also encouraged fans to park responsibility. 

"It has been an issue in other areas of Horwich as well.

"The work by the police is a good thing.

"The majority of football fans do park appropriately, it may be just the odd ones who do not.

"I would urge them to just show respect as best they can when parking."