Manchester residents being asked for views on expanding parking restrictions near the Co-op Live arena

Residents living near Manchester City’s stadium and a huge planned arena are being asked for their views on extending the area’s parking restriction scheme.

Parts of Beswick close to the Etihad Campus already have restrictions on who can park there to ensure residents have somewhere to leave their vehicles during matchdays and other big events.

But now with the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live arena starting to be built the council is exploring if more needs to be done in the area by bringing in resident parking permits.

Residents are being quizzed on their thoughts over a four-week period.

What is the consultation about?

Restrictions have been in place on a large number of streets in Beswick for a number of years to prevent people attending Manchester City home games or other huge events at the Etihad leaving their vehicles there.

With construction on the spectacular-looking Co-op Live arena now getting under way, Manchester City Council thinks more restrictions on parking will be needed in the area once the large indoor venue open its doors in 2023.

A consultation is therefore being run until 3 April to gauge public opinion on the expansion of the scheme by introducing resident parking permits in the area.

Residents are being asked for their views on two types of parking restrictions.

The first would introduce parking bays with a 90-minute maximum stay permitted except for permit holders who would be able to park in the bays for an unlimited length of time. This would be in operation Monday to Sunday, 12pm until 11pm.

The second would introduce permit holders only on ‘past this point’ streets from Monday to Sunday, noon until 11pm. This would be limited to smaller streets and cul-de-sacs where parking provision is limited.

Residents can go online to see what would be proposed for their street and have their say.

All permits will be electronic and linked to the registration plate of the holder’s vehicle, with the exception for carer permits which will be in paper form and free to apply for.

Business permits can also be applied for but will carry a cost of £45 per year.

The council says it will take on responsibility for enforcing the scheme.

Can I find out more about what is being proposed?

In addition to the information online a number of drop-in sessions are being planned by the council.

These are on Wednesday 16 March at the Church of the Apostles on Ridgway Street from 3pm until 6pm, on Thursday 17 March at Beswick Library on Grey Mare Lane between 3pm and 6pm and on Monday 21 March in the community room at Asda Eastlands at Sportcity from 4.30pm until 7.30pm.

There will also be an online session where the proposals will be explained and the public and businesses can ask questions.

This will be on Tuesday 15 March from 4.30pm until 7.30pm on Microsoft Teams. Email [email protected] to receive a link to join online.

What has the council said?

Coun Tracey Rawlins, executive member for the environment for Manchester City Council, said: “Through other resident parking schemes in Manchester we know they can make a positive impact for people living within its boundaries.

“As Manchester continues to grow, particularly in east Manchester, we need to make sure there are measures in place to support the people who have called it their home for years.

“The further development of the Etihad Campus as well as the construction of a new arena are very exciting for the city’s future, but it can’t come at the expense of residents and local businesses. We need to make sure their needs are prioritised as the area attracts new visitors.

“We are also looking to promote public transport, as well as improved walking and cycling routes as the best means for people to travel to east Manchester during events or match days.

“By making parking for residents only we will hopefully see fewer car journeys to the area, helping to fulfil our ambition to make the city zero carbon by 2038.”