Nottinghamshire County Council says it takes the safety of people attending City Ground and Trent Bridge fixtures 'very seriously' amid concerns about the amount of traffic caused. A petition was handed in earlier this year, signed by 233 people, calling for traffic issues around West Bridgford to be addressed on matchdays.
West Bridgford is home to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Nottingham Forest, with the promotion of the latter to the Premier League last year said to have caused an increase in traffic. The council's response to the petition was shared at a meeting of the authority on May 11.
In its response, the council says: "The County Council is aware of the traffic issues created by visitors to the City Ground on match days. Traffic has increased due in part to the increased profile of the club in the Premier League and in part due to frequent rail strikes that have impacted upon the availability of public transport for away supporters."
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The council referenced meetings of a multiagency Safety Advisory Group (SAG) which it chairs, providing specialist advice in relation to safety around the City Ground. The authority said: "Key members of the SAG have agreed to continue to monitor the situation for the next 2-3 fixtures and then meet to discuss any potential actions that may be needed to improve safety on match days.
"Parking enforcement has also increased for home games and officers now cover a wider residential area around the ground typically issuing a significant number of Penalty Charge Notices. In addition, the recent planning application from Nottingham Forest to build flats adjacent to the ground and increase the capacity of the Peter Taylor stand includes several proposals to mitigate against the increased traffic, proposals that will potentially benefit the wider local community."
The council says these proposals include residential parking permit schemes on several streets, adding: "Potential safety matters arising are taken very seriously." Presenting the petition earlier this year, Labour's Councillor Penny Gowland said: "This year, I've become a firm fan of Nottingham Forest Football Club and I want everybody in West Bridgford to be able to share in the excitement of home games.
"But the truth is, some people have come to dread the games. I've had complaints from bus companies about a lack of marshalling of pedestrians on Trent Bridge, complaints from taxi drivers about threats from both residents and customers. Buses, drivers and cars are also brought to a standstill on matchdays."
The Reds have three remaining Premier League games as they attempt to beat the drop back into the Championship. Steve Cooper's side have one more home game remaining, on May 2020 against high-flying Arsenal.
Nottinghamshire Live has contacted Nottingham Forest for comment about the traffic issues.
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