Everton disabled access 'a struggle', say fans

Some Everton football fans with disabilities have said they are considering giving up their season tickets as they find access to the club's new stadium "a struggle".

Blues fans have been adjusting to life at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium after the men's team moved from Goodison Park last year.

However, some fans have said they were considering no longer going as they were finding accessibility, particularly around parking for blue badge holders, an issue.

An Everton spokesman said the club was continuing to work closely with Everton Disabled Supporters' Association to respond to supporter feedback.

An accessible shuttle service has been introduced for supporters travelling to and from the stadium by train on match days, while the number of blue badge parking spaces has been doubled from 50 to over 100, he added.

Liverpool City Council said traffic management for games and events was "under constant review".

John Roberts, 77, who has arthritis and has been watching Everton since 1959, has had a season ticket for 20 years.

"I was excited to visit the new ground. It's obviously frustrating, it's a beautiful stadium but it wasn't built for people with blue badges," he said.

He described how taxi pick-up and drop-off restrictions were an issue as he can't walk more than a few yards without hip pain.

After the game, a wheelchair was organised for him to Regent Road, but he said he still had a "painful 20 minutes to get into the taxi".

"On the way out I had a young man organise me a wheelchair when I was ready to go, I can't fault them for that, they were brilliant," he said.

Barry Harrison, 85, who had a season ticket at Goodison from 1966 up until the final game against Southampton last May, said parking options around the stadium had become "unworkable".

"When I used to go to Goodison, I had my blue badge so it wasn't an issue," he said.

"The first time I went here, I got the train and it damn near killed me, the walk from Sandhills. I'm 85. It's a half-mile walk from the station."

Barry, who said he had barely missed a game since 1996, now gets the bus but the long journey means he was "thinking of chucking my ticket in".

Mike Penn, 80, from Maghull, said although he had managed to find nearby blue badge parking, the walk to the ground was "a struggle".

"You can't use a blue badge and there is nowhere you can be dropped off by taxi without having a distance to the ground," he said.

"It's probably ok if you are young and fit."

He said he had tried the Soccerbus from Bootle but it had still involved "a fair walk into the ground".

The LDRS understands around 100 disabled parking spaces are available at Nelson Dock.

In an email seen by the LDRS, Everton's accessibility team confirmed the club had "come up with alternatives to help our supporters attend the games", including the provision of free taxis.

A Liverpool City Council representative said: "People who hold a Blue Badge are able to park on yellow lines outside of any loading or unloading restrictions, so long as the vehicle is not causing an obstruction and a valid Blue Badge is displayed alongside the blue parking clock.

"We are working closely with Everton Football Club and other partners to address emerging issues and feedback, and our traffic management strategy for games and events at Hill Dickinson Stadium is under constant review."

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