Very long post I am afraid. This update has just gone round. As promised whacking on here.
My key points:
1. The parking and transport to the ground for disabled people remains a shitshow. The club are being defensive with the 'we have 100 spaces on site which is amongst the best in the PL' when because they have lost EDSA parking in Stanley Park, the Blue Base and the Goodison Road car park it's both an actual cut and a proportional cut (given the increased capacity). As people know, I had a pass for Stanley Park previously, now I have got nothing and I am not alone.
2. The club are doing a lot within the footprint. Wheelchair loan, golf buggies, you name it. This however misses the point that the big issue is getting there in the first place. I think the club knows that but at this point can't do much about it.
3. What they are doing is an accessibility shuttle to Sandhills. Unfortunately this doesn't solve the major problem of a kettle system at Sandhills which disabled people can't endure, and the fact that Sandhills is likely to be overwhelmed.
4. The road closures are going to be a huge problem for disabled people, particularly ambulant disabled people who will struggle to get out. The fact that disabled people are being asked to arrive hours early and leave late is also a major problem for those with chronic and debilitating conditions.
There some useful stuff in there but EDSA have been trying to get these answers for a while and the essential problems aren't solved, and it's now too late to solve them.
EDSA's message follows.
---- Dear EDSA member,
We hope you are well and are enjoying the summer.
We have finally been given some further information after our discussions with Liverpool City Council and the club regarding parking around the streets at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Please see the official information as provided by both parties below:
Blue Badge Parking near the Stadium
1. Primary Guidance
• Blue Badge holders should follow the official Blue Badge Scheme: rights and responsibilities in England
2. Permit Zone
• In permit-controlled streets within the Football Match Parking Zone, Blue Badge holders may park for as long as needed.
• A valid Blue Badge must be clearly displayed
3. Streets Where Blue Badge Parking is Not Allowed
Blue Badge holders must not park on:
• Boundary Street
• Blackstone Street
• Walter Street
• Saltney Street
• Dublin Street
• Sandhills Lane
• Waterloo Road
• Regent Road
4. Streets where Blue Badge Parking is permitted
• Going towards the City from Dickson Street, Blue Bage holders can park on those remaining of the '10 streets' provided they have parked 2 hours before kick off. Supporters won’t be able to exit these spaces until 1 hour after the final whistle, after the game exit onto Regent Road will be left turn only.
• A small number of designated blue badge spaces will be able on Regent Street (not Regent Road) on a first come, first serve basis. Regent Street must be accessed two hours prior to kick off.
• A valid Blue Badge must be clearly displayed
5. Yellow Line Parking
• Blue Badge holders can park on single or double yellow lines (unless loading/unloading restrictions apply), for up to 3 hours.
• Must display both badge and clock showing arrival time, and ensure the vehicle does not obstruct traffic
• Liverpool City Council’s Blue Badge enforcement team will operate in the area on matchdays. Anyone who is not displaying a valid blue badge and clock will face a Penalty Charge Notice.
6. Designated On-Site Blue Badge Parking
• The stadium offers 100 dedicated Blue Badge parking spaces, which is one of the largest allocations in the Premier League. These spaces have been allocated out for the 2025/26 season.
7. Drop-Off / Pick-Up
• No drop-off areas are designated within the closure zone itself, and drop offs must take place East of Great Howard Street for safety reasons.
8. Post match Road Closures
• All roads past the Bascule bridge ( 10 streets ) will also be closed up to one hour post-match or till foot traffic has cleared.
In addition, the club will be offering further services to assist disabled fans reaching the stadium, including:
• An Accessible Shuttle Service from Sandhills station to Boundary Street - The service will operate from 12pm to 2:45pm to the stadium and from 4:45pm to 7:30pm for Saturday’s match vs Roma (Operating times will change during league and cup matches). Advance booking is required for use of this service. Bookings for the Roma match must be made by 12pm on Thursday, 7 August. To book a space on the shuttle, please email accessibility@evertonfc.com or contact the Accessibility Team directly by calling 0151 556 187 and select option 1, then option 2, followed by option 3. (Please include the accessibility requirements of supporters and number of supporters travelling on the service). Further information can be found on the Everton website.
• An Accessible Golf Buggy Service - An accessible buggy service will be in operation for supporters who require assistance moving around Hill Dickinson Stadium’s footprint once inside the stadium wall.
This is a complimentary service, it will operate pre-and-post-match and transport fans from inside the Regent Road wall to entrance points at all stands.
This is not a pre-bookable service. Supporters should speak to their nearest steward, who will be happy to support in calling the buggy.
• A wheelchair loan service - A complimentary wheelchair loan service to assist fans getting from the Regent Road wall to their designated entrances at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be available.
Supporters will be able to collect a wheelchair once inside the stadium wall by notifying their nearest steward, who will arrange for a wheelchair to be delivered.
This service cannot be pre-booked and is not a pushing service. A member of the fan’s party will be expected to assist with pushing the wheelchair if required. This service is to help supporters get from the Regent Road wall to the turnstiles / accessible lifts and supporters will not be able to take loaned wheelchairs to their seat.
• Storage areas - Fans will be able to store personal mobility aids such as wheelchair, rollators etc during the match. On arrival at the Stadium, supporters should speak to their nearest steward, who will be able to advise on the most suitable location for storage of their mobility aid.
EDSA will update further as and when we receive any additional updates from the club or LCC, particularly ahead of the Brighton match.
If you have any further questions, please do get in touch. We will aim to respond as soon as we are able.
Best wishes EDSA
Everton Disabled Supporters Association (EDSA)
Email: edsasecretary@outlook.com
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Obviously the club could have had more on site blue badge parking or bought adjacent premises to turn into parking.
However (without looking) I reckon there will be significant planning contributions made by the club as developer of the site.
The authorities (LCC and LCR) want hounding out of office for allowing this to happen.
Yes Rotherham - I'm looking at you, you chancing kopite prick.How can you tell if someone is a Kopite? If the hat, scarf, T shirt or tattoo isn't enough of a clue, they will have told you within two sentences. Basically, it's a cult.
Well I think that is me "done" with going to watch Everton. I am on a blue badge, and permanent walking stick, being riddled with arthritis among other illnesses.
What is the point of having a car with blue badge, but not being able to park near enough to walk to and from the Stadium?
No worries mate. I really hope it doesn't come to that, there's lots of us in this boat and I hope the pressure will actually get some result, somehow.
I'd suggest people do email Edsa and the club's accessibility team, I will be doing.
Merseytravel now just shown their arse in public, basically admitting 'Get your steps in' was an attempt to keep people from going to Sandhills. There is a strong whiff of kecks being shat over the state of Sandhills, imho.
I'm taking the Mrs and was looking at parking as near as possible using her blue badge, she had a stroke last year and she isn't great on her feet.
So we have to park at 1pm at the latest Two hours before the game if you manage to find a spot that is? If they're all gone by 1pm it's back to town to park up and jump the bus. I'm not sure the taxis will get too close to the ground that's if you're able to get one. I've drank in town for years before going the game and getting a cab in Dale street has become nigh on impossible after 2pm, as town will now be the preferred option for thousands more good luck to anyone trying to get one.
Thanks for the kind words and no, it isn't great. They'll get a shed load of feedback after Saturday I just hope they're able to act constructively on it.
The stadium seems to have been built with every consideration for people with accessibility issues but that's no good if they can't make it to the stadium in the first place. As some on here might remember, I had my right leg amputated at hip level 5 years ago and I dreaded trying to go the match again at Goodison as we sat in the Upper Bullens.
Through a bit of trial and error, we managed to get a match day routine that worked. Getting the ground early, parking in a side street on double yellows and going in the ground as soon as the gates opened. I used to leave on 85 mins and I missed some proper limbs moments (pun intended) like Tarkowski's goal in the derby but I still managed to get the game.
BMD could be the final nail in the coffin for me though. It looks like I might be able to park in the car park of a company we do business for half a mile from BMD but even that, when I mobilize on crutches, could be too much. I guess I will find out in the coming weeks but if it becomes too much then my 45 years of going the match will be done"It might not be the easiest job but it's the best job"
Invest in a mobility scooter for those mid to short range distance mate. I got one about 12 months ago and its honestly the best thing I ever did.
For the Roma game I've actually got a wheelchair space for it because I was worried I wouldn't be able to store it inside the ground, but happy to see from Rookwood's notes above that they are going to provide storage inside the ground now, so that could make all the difference for you.
My plan is to use the Blue Badge to park up in the streets at the top end of Boundary Street, then scooter my way down to the ground and inside to as close as I can get to my seat. From there I can probably walk it to all but the really high back rows.
Like you said earlier, a bit of trial and error over the first few games and you'll eventually find a routine that works.
I used to live in one of the Streets off Boundary Street. I've heard they are all resident parking permits, as are the Streets around he current Goodison Park, and the wardens are shit hot in Walton.
I also fear the local ninja's will have a field day with peoples cars while they are away at the match. Police will be concentrating on the Stadium area and surrounding streets.
I know we don't know each other personally, but I remember that mate. Totally hear you, as I have got worse I have navigated it in different ways, with a good deal of help from people (blugenes with great advice a few years back) but this is looking really tricky.
Yeah, got the email this morning too, contents of which put paid to my idea of side street parking near the ground, and walking in. On to plan two now, which I haven’t yet figured out.Don't forget lads, one Evertonian is worth 20 liverpudlians. Brian Labone 'The Last of the Corinthians'.
Solidarity mate. I really don't have a clue now because it sounds to me like cabs won't be able to drop off either, which was my fall-back for getting there at least.
It's got to the point where (not cryarsing, this is a genuine thing) I'm thinking of jibbing it at this late stage, but I suppose the acid test will be the first game. My wife is very worried about me given how bad I am now with my legs, and I am myself.
Thanks to you I had a much better experience at Goodison the last few years following your advice re Blue Base etc, so I just hope it all works out for all of us somehow.
Yeah, Blue Base was great for many, myself included, gonna miss the place. Not sure where I am going to be drinking around the ground from now on. I’m meeting my sister Julie, before the Roma game, not sure if it’s in Murphy’s, which was ok for the Oldham game, test event 2. Hoping to meet Spart and his brother too. Got my missus with me for this game, so leaving the car at Travelodge. and cab in. Hoping to get a look at my Everton brick on the day. Hope you get sorted mate. Drop me a DM, and if I hear anything or our Julie does, I will let you know mate.Don't forget lads, one Evertonian is worth 20 liverpudlians. Brian Labone 'The Last of the Corinthians'.
I thought so. Why not open it every Saturday (match day) and charge like a fiver for a bus down to the ground included with parking? People on site buying drinks and stuff. I’m struggling to understand this really. Surely they could get people close enough that way as well. Or at least some if not everyone who needs help. CHEER UP, PLUMS
BlueBase offered existing parking permit holders the chance to park at Blue Base for every home league game. An upfront charge of £190 for the season, but did not mention travel to the new stadium and back, for each game. For that reason I respectfully declined the offer.Don't forget lads, one Evertonian is worth 20 liverpudlians. Brian Labone 'The Last of the Corinthians'.
I didn't know about that (I had Blue Base membership but my pass was for Stanley Park) but like you say you wouldn't take that with no transport to the ground. £10 a game with no shuttle?
Me neither. I’ll admit the ground looks great and if we start really competing again then it will have been worth it. But as you say a lot of the planning has and is a shambles
I've tried to give the club as much credit as I can but tbh anyone who knows anything about disability and inclusion knows that going up to a random steward and asking for a wheelchair or a golf buggy is a non-starter in any event.
People need to be well-trained to deal with these issues, and a steward trying to hold back the tide of 53k people with a STOP sign in their hands is going to be a bit on the busy side at that gate I reckon. That's before you get into the issues disabled people always face when having to explicitly ask for support.
quite disappointed at this actually, by and large the club are normally good with all kind of community stuff and this seems to fly in the face of it. I'm not sure what they can do about Sandhills, this seems like a city council/Merseyrail issue but I would have expected them to come up with some better solutions.
What I suspect will happen is that over time issues will get worked out, but that isn't really good enough is it? its not like this has been sprung on anyone, the place has been under construction for years.
Totally agree - They normally get all this stuff right but seem to be way off it in terms of whats required, not helped by the general fiasco surrounding getting there and general parking with zero help from the council.
It’s almost like a site that only really has access from one side isn’t really fit for purpose!
What’s to stop putting a ferry terminal in or something end getting people there from the pier head? It seems on obvious solution to some of this CHEER UP, PLUMS
From the club side, what I would have expected if I am honest is that shuttles be organised from the Blue Base or other stations than Sandhills, to allow disabled people to join Merseyrail, other public transport, or access car park outside of the immediate pressure zone. I am surprised they thought a shuttle to Sandhills was a solution.
So yes, I do think some culpability lies with the club. I am bitter about this, but I also think the way the allocation of disabled parking was handled (the ballot) was extremely poor, particularly given the number of people who lost out who had previously had accessible parking. Moreover, there was a potential solution - which was recognising that there isn't enough at BMD itself (rather than press release lines about 'one of the best in the PL') and simply taking the financial hit on leasing a space nearby and liaising with the Council to ensure access was granted to it. They could, and should, have done that.
I agree, I suspect they will over time get worked out, but the iceberg was visible as you say.
Spot on about the shuttles from Sandhills. A shuttle is fine but making people with mobility problems fight their way through the busiest point of arrivals and departures is ridiculous.
To be honest mate I'm none the wiser on that. The number of roads where we are expressly not permitted to park is so extensive I've struggled to keep up.
on August 5, 2025, 1:43 pm