Recent demand for live events has grown significantly, with their contribution to the UK's economy alone estimated at £8bn per year. The rapid expansion of live experiences has sharpened focus on associated transport impacts.
ITP is at the forefront of developing effective transport management strategies and event-based Travel Plans that improve visitor experiences while mitigating congestion, inconsiderate parking, and transport overcrowding.
Derby County Football Club’s promotion to the Premier League resulted in escalating matchday parking and traffic issues associated with higher attendances.
We worked with DCFC's Operations Director, Stadium Safety Manager, traffic management contractors, Police, and supporter groups to define additional matchday road closures. These improved pedestrian safety, created dedicated supporter coach parking locations, and underpinned negotiated off-site parking agreements with local landowners.
The result of our work, and the revised matchday parking and transport management arrangements we devised, was a reduction in post-match egress times and positive feedback from supporters and local landowners on improved pedestrian safety and minimised disruption.
Kenilworth Road holds 10,350 spectators, and has been Luton Town Football Club’s home ground since 1905. Like many older UK football stadia, it is surrounded by housing - a factor that now limits further expansion and scope for non-football uses of an important community facility.
ITP was commissioned by Luton Borough Council to undertake an independent review of four potential sites for a new stadium. We reviewed existing supporter travel patterns and home locations, audited existing transport options to analyse the accessibility of potential sites, and examined current (and potential future) traffic flows and car parking demand on surrounding roads. We also reviewed work completed to date by the football club to develop an outline supporter transport strategy for its preferred site.
Our work informed the Council’s statutory review of the football club’s outline planning application and is helping ensure that operational considerations are designed-in to the stadium proposals for both matchday and non-football events.
Chesterfield Football Club moved into its new home, the 10,500 seat Proact Stadium, in 2010. Hosting non-football events, such as music concerts, was part of the club’s long-term strategy to improve its finances and utilise the stadium as a community facility.
ITP prepared a Transport Management Plan for non-football events at the stadium. Working with the football club, event promoters, traffic management operatives, Police, event-day parking providers, public transport operators, and the Council’s highways team; we developed a practically-focused strategy. Our plan was central to the club securing planning consent for the concert and set a successful precedent for similar future events at the stadium.