A planning application suggests arrangements for fans heading to home games could soon change
A visualisation of how part of the new fan management zone at Sandhills could look
Changes are being planned for Everton fans heading to the Blues’ Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of a second season at the waterfront arena. As Blues fans reflect on an ultimately frustrating first season at their new home, which saw David Moyes’ team slide down the table after at one stage looking on course for European qualification.
But away from the results, it was a significant season in the club’s history as they transitioned away from their famous old ground of Goodison Park to their new home on the banks of the Mersey.
In the run up to last season, one of the major concerns for fans revolved around transport and travel arrangements to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Those concerns weren’t allayed by some chaotic scenes at early test events as thousands crammed onto the platform at Sandhills station, which lies close to the ground.
But improvements were made including the creation of a fan management zone and a new passenger footbridge, which was installed on time and before the season got underway.
But now, it has been deemed that further works are needed to better manage the volume of people that are now using Merseyrail services to and from Sandhills station on match days.
A planning application has been submitted by Merseytravel to Liverpool City Council, seeking permission to alter the existing crowd management zone with an “extended corralling area”.
A design of how the expanded fan management zone and new facilities at Sandhills Station could look
Permission is also being sought to install a new bus stop interchange in the areas as well as the creation of improved and permanent toilet facilities in the area and changes to existing access. There is also the suggestion that future food and drink services could be brought into the location.
The application states: “The development of the stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, which has a capacity for over 50,000 spectators, has significantly impacted the station, particularly on how it is operated, and how it is accessed by spectators on event days.
“After incorporating recent works to enhance station capacity and management provision further works are now seen as being required in these regards in recognition of the numbers of spectators utilising the station on their journeys to and from the stadium.”
Detailing the proposed changes, the application states: “The proposal looks to utilise a large section of the existing Merseytravel land, utilised as a Merseyrail compound, and use this space to extend the existing corralling area.
“This area will provide increase capacity for segregated queue routes for destination specific departures which will increase the capacity and efficiency of the station’s services.
“In doing this, the existing accessible ramped entrance and lift will be alleviated, providing the ability for people with reduced mobility and access needs to utilise this access route.”
Along with the new corralling area, the new plans would also include a dedicated storage compound for the crowd barrier systems, upgraded welfare facilities for the additional staff required, permanent public event day toilet facilities and a location for future food and drink services to be provided.
Everton fans queuing at Sandhills after the pre-season friendly against Roma last summer(Image: Liverpool Echo/Iain Watts)
To add to the public transport offer for fans, the plans will also include a new bus stop interchange and a new bus lay-by area created.
To allow all this to happen, the existing corralling area facing north onto Sandhills Lane will be extended south along the strip of land between Dunes Way and the existing station ramp to the foot bridge.
The southern most extent of this will have new stair access to connect the Hunts Cross and Liverpool queues to the existing footbridge ramp. A section of the public pathway running from the junction of Sandhills Lane along Dunes Way will be altered, and extended within the site boundary, to allow the existing highway to be widened to facilitate the new bus stop pull-in bay.
The plans will now be analysed by planners at Liverpool City Council before a decision on whether to grant permission is made.