U-turn over Coventry City stadium access

Plans to ban cars from stopping on a road outside Coventry City's stadium on match days have been dropped by the council.

The restriction on Judds Lane had been considered in a bid to improve pedestrian access and safety to and from the CBS Arena, as well as removing parking causing obstructions.

The only suitable drop-off points were on the other side of a dual carriageway or 900m away, which would have involved crossing busy streets, a report for the city council said

The local authority is now expected to come up with a fresh plan that will allow people to be dropped off ahead of games.

The report was by council head of network management David Keaney, who said vehicle access to the arena was limited to Judds Lane, "which brings about interaction and conflict between vehicles and pedestrians".

Parking also takes place on that street "which causes reduced access and obstruction", he said.

Keaney added that mindful of objections received, options for private vehicles had been re-examined.

Pete Cattell, one of those who objected, spoke at a meeting attended by cabinet member for city services councillor Patricia Hetherton.

He said he raised concerns because he worried about people "I drop off at the stadium".

"I have been dropping these people off ever since Coventry came back to the stadium and I have never experienced even a near miss.

"The people I drop off don't have blue badges but their mobility is poor. My view is that if it isn't broken, don't fix it."

Hetherton said: "I couldn't agree with you more. Everybody always seems so kind and helpful and it is a lovely atmosphere.

"We need to enable people to be dropped off and ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves."

At the meeting with Hetherton, Keaney said "we are suggesting that we... seek your agreement" to take on board objections before bringing forward proposals that "balance meeting the needs of that location and ensure cars are parked in a manner that supports the stadium's activities but which doesn't concern the local community".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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