The club were given the green light to increase the stadium capacity by 5,000 last month

After years in the works, Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited plans to expand their City Ground home were approved at a council meeting a few weeks ago. The decision was warmly welcomed by most the Premier League club’s fans – but not everyone is happy.

Councillors and residents in the surrounding area of the stadium have pointed out two problems that will become “significantly worse” – parking and traffic. Once all conditions have been met, Forest can start progressing plans to demolish and rebuild the Peter Taylor Stand in a move that will increase capacity by 5,000.

The Reds have also been given initial approval on plans for a block of up to 170 apartments next to the rebuilt stand, though this is subject to approval of other details they will have to provide to the council in the future. Crucially, the current 171 parking spaces at the front of the stand would be reduced to just 35, a net loss of 136 car parking spaces, under the redevelopment plan.

This fact, along with thousands more fans attending the games, means existing issues with parking and traffic on surrounding areas, such as West Bridgford, Lady Bay and The Meadows, will only become worse.

Forest’s transport assessment concludes that all its development work, coupled with the loss of car parking, will create demand for an additional 1,416 spaces. The club say that for “major events, attendees are typically willing to walk longer distances”.

Suggestions put forward by the club

Yet the club are also considering measures including a map of walking routes and public transport modes being printed on the back of tickets. The club also say they will consider temporary road closures at the end of matches to ensure pedestrian safety, particularly on Lady Bay Bridge. Forest are also considering schemes for staff including bus taster tickets and car club schemes.

“I don’t want to put a downer on it but for everyone concerned the situation is not okay,” said Labour councillor Penny Gowland, who represents West Bridgford North at Nottinghamshire County Council. “Residents are at their wits’ end and can’t plan their lives and dozens of fans are driving around and can’t get a parking space.

“I fundamentally support this but I think there’s a real opportunity being missed by the organisations to create a sporting quarter. We need a park and ride, we need better public transport and resident parking zones on the days the matches are on. Of course it will push the problem out but it will dilute it.

“I see it as an opportunity but no-one seems to want to grab the nettle. Something has to be done or it will be significantly worse.

Improvements to busy junction

Forest agreed to pay £2.9 million to go towards local improvements as part of a section 106 agreement. This includes £1m for improving bus services and hundreds of thousands for cycling access, match day parking permits and safety improvements to the Cattle Market Junction.

However, cllr Gowland believes this is nowhere near enough. “It’s a lot of money for an individual but as a council it doesn’t get that far. It’s better than nothing but that money goes and we’re back to square one. It’s not going to fully solve the problem.”

The problems faced by residents

Linda Phillips, who lives in Edward Road, West Bridgford, said she felt residents were being forgotten. “I’m very disappointed that nothing has been allocated for residents with parking. It’s a nightmare for residents when there’s a match on,” said the 73-year-old.

“When we moved in it wasn’t such a problem. There weren’t as many cars or matches. It’s going to get worse. I don’t take my car out at all during matchdays.

“I’ve got no problem with them going up the league but they can’t just ignore us.” West Bridgford resident Farrel Doherty, who moved onto Crosby Road 22 years ago, said the issue has “definitely got worse, especially over the last few seasons”.

“Once or twice we’ve had people blocking our dive. It’s sometimes difficult to get the cars out. We kind of just accept it,” the 53-year-old said. “It’ll push more traffic onto these roads. We often have cars parked on the double yellows which can make it difficult to get through.”

Others living in the area said they have no problem with match day parking. Elizabeth Crawford, 66, who regularly visits her dad on Crosby Road, said: “It’s part and parcel of living here. My dad doesn’t have a car so it doesn’t affect him so much.

“I can’t see it will change much at all. There might be more people coming but I don’t see it being a massive issue. I suppose I have grown up with it.

“It’s like being next to a school if you don’t like children screaming. Yes it can be annoying, it can be irritating, but when you’ve lived her long enough you get accustomed to it.”

Ben Porcel, 43, added: “I have two drives so I don’t have many issues, but I can’t speak for others on the street. It does get busy on matchdays but not just for Forest. You have the cricket, as well as Notts County across the river. Permit parking becomes a real nuisance when you want to have friends round or something like that.”

New permit schemes

Nottinghamshire County Council said it is aware of the concerns and is committed to working with residents. “The county council has therefore worked with the football club and Rushcliffe Borough Council through the planning process to secure funding that will enable the implementation of permit schemes in the vicinity, subject to further detailed design and the necessary consultations,” said a spokesperson.