There will be less parking close to the home of Hereford United when the redevelopment of the adjoining former livestock market is complete.
However the total amount of parking spaces in Hereford will increase.
Supporters who have parked in the Merton Meadow car park for as long as they can remember will have to look elsewhere as the Meadow is to have houses built on it.
According to Hereford Futures there will be a 'modest net reduction' of parking spaces within 150 metres of the ground.
Peter Clasby from Hereford Futures gave BN this summary.
Within 150m of the ground, then post development there will be a modest net reduction in the available amount of public parking
Within 150m of the ground, then post development there will be a modest net reduction in the available amount of public parking
Parking capacity – Currently within the city centre there are around 3,000 public parking spaces. This excludes those parking spaces associated with supermarkets, and other retail/business parks etc. Generally daily demand within the Council’s public car parks peaks at around 2250 indicating a generous surplus. Once the proposed housing development is completed then Merton Meadow will no longer provide any public parking, but this will be post completion of the Old Market retail development.
Public parking; including patrons attending HUFC - In total approximately 3,100 city centre parking spaces will be available post opening of the Old Market. Based on current demand and factoring in growth as a consequence of the new development this is considered to be an adequate supply. The new parking spaces coming forward as part of the Old Market development will be available for any member of the public to use, subject to payment – Waitrose customers will enjoy a short period of free parking. Therefore football supporters will continue to have access to public parking spaces.
Coach access to HUFC – The design of the Link Road took into account access to HUFC, and the new north-south feeder road can serve as a controlled area for coach pick-up / drop-off.