Living near a top UK stadium can be an exciting experience, but for residents in the area around Wembley Stadium, parking remains a major issue. Despite the £2.5 billion investment in the area, residents say that they cannot park near their homes, even on non-event days. The Brent Council has made the surrounding developments “car-free” to ease traffic congestion, but this has left residents without access to on-street parking permits. In this article, we will explore the impact of living near Wembley Stadium and the challenges that residents face due to parking restrictions.
The Excitement of Living Near Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium is a world-famous venue that hosts major sporting events and concerts. The area around the stadium has undergone significant development in recent years, with a 70-store shopping centre, a Boxpark, and a building site for 5,000 apartments. For some residents, living near Wembley Stadium is an exciting experience. Georgie, who lives on Wembley Park Boulevard, says that she loves the area and enjoys seeing the feathers and cowboy hats worn by Harry Styles fans. She also gets to see the fireworks and hear some of the music from the stadium.
The Parking Problem
However, for many residents, parking is a major issue. Enrique, who lives in the area, says that all roads are closed on event days, making it impossible to drive out of the car park. He has to wait until all the security barriers are removed before he can leave. Ridvan says that he has to park his car 15 minutes away from his home because the underground parking lot is only for bikes. He needs his car but cannot park it near his home. The Brent Council has made the surrounding developments “car-free” to ease traffic congestion, but this has left residents without access to on-street parking permits.
The Impact of Car-Free Developments
The Brent Council says that car-free developments help ease traffic congestion and encourage residents to use sustainable travel options such as walking and cycling. However, for residents who need their cars, this policy has created significant challenges. They cannot apply for on-street parking permits and have to park their cars far away from their homes. The council’s policy may be well-intentioned, but it has created problems for residents who need their cars for work or other purposes.
The Role of Developers
Local developer Quintain says that the National Stadium is a public transport destination, and parking restrictions and road closures are crucial to ensure the safety of residents and the public. However, residents say that they were not adequately informed about the parking restrictions when they moved in. Quintain says that it notifies residents of the restrictions ahead of event days through signage, resident apps, and notices on electronic screens in reception. However, residents say that this is not enough, and they need more support to deal with the parking problem.
Conclusion
Living near Wembley Stadium can be an exciting experience, but for residents, parking remains a major issue. The Brent Council’s policy of car-free developments has left residents without access to on-street parking permits, making it difficult for them to park near their homes. Local developer Quintain says that parking restrictions and road closures are crucial to ensure the safety of residents and the public. However, residents say that they need more support to deal with the parking problem. The Brent Council and local developers need to work together to find a solution that balances the needs of residents with the demands of major events at Wembley Stadium.