Changes to be made to matchday travel around Hill Dickinson Stadium following fan feedback

Fan groups met with the representatives from the Liverpool City Region to discuss ongoing work to refine and improve matchday travel around Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The latest meeting followed a dedicated session with supporter groups – including the Fan Advisory Board, Fans’ Forum, Everton Disabled Supporters’ Association (EDSA) and the Supporters’ Club Committee – where fans shared feedback from recent fixtures ahead of the Fulham match, with several of their ideas discussed further.

A number of operational trials were reviewed, including the post-match 20-minute traffic hold and temporary one-way systems on Boundary Street and Blackstone Street. Both were introduced to improve pedestrian safety, and initial feedback from supporters and transport operators has been positive.

Traffic flow on Great Howard Street and its impact on shuttle buses was also discussed. 

Bus operators reported good pre-match performance but ongoing challenges with return journeys. In response, lane adjustments will be made from the Newcastle United fixture, including a revised northbound lane closure from the bus stop north of Paisley Street and a shortened southbound closure after the shuttle bus stops. These changes aim to improve traffic flow and speed up shuttle movements to and from the city centre.

Supporters travelling by car are strongly advised not to drive into the Great Howard Street, or the stadium area, unless they have a pre-booked official parking space or accessibility requirements. The volume of vehicles entering the area continues to cause congestion, affecting shuttle and public transport operations. Parking restrictions are enforced on both residential and industrial roads, with fines issued to vehicles parked without valid permits or beyond permitted durations. 

Parking in the city centre, Bootle Strand, or at rail stations with onward travel by shuttle bus, train, or on foot remains the best option.

Partners discussed improving directional signage along the Liverpool Waterfront and Derby Road corridors, giving stronger advice for non-matchday traffic to avoid Great Howard Street during peak event times. Event messaging will also be displayed on electronic Variable Message Signs (VMS) across Liverpool and Sefton’s road networks from one week before fixtures to provide advance notice and help shape travel choices.

To further reduce congestion, partners are exploring traffic signal optimisation and considering yellow box junctions with camera enforcement at key intersections. Liverpool City Council will also begin planning enforcement action against unregulated car parks operating near the stadium, particularly those drawing traffic onto Great Howard Street.

Everton continues to provide more than 100 official parking spaces in Nelson Dock for disabled supporters – among the highest allocations in the Premier League. 

To maintain safety, there will be no post-match pedestrian access from Budweiser Plaza into Nelson Dock unless returning to parked vehicles. Supporters with pre-booked spaces are reminded there is no vehicle exit for at least one hour after full-time, and blue badge holders should arrive well before the two-hour hard road closure begins.

The review of public transport queuing safety (for bus and rail) will continue, with improvements introduced where risks are identified. Fan feedback praised Merseyrail’s management at Sandhills Station, where over 10,000 supporters now pass through each matchday with an average post-match wait time of around 18 minutes. Despite isolated issues during the Fulham fixture, additional measures are in place for the Newcastle game, and both the Club and Merseyrail ask supporters for patience and respectful behaviour while queuing.

All partners have agreed to explore a joint campaign promoting positive behaviour across all transport networks, making Everton supporters a benchmark for good practice on matchdays.

Liverpool City Council also confirmed that phase one of its enhanced street lighting programme – covering 11 streets between the city centre and Hill Dickinson Stadium – is now live. The second phase, extending into the Ten Streets area, will be completed by 18 November, improving lighting for supporters attending the Newcastle fixture.

The Transport Working Group will continue to meet regularly with supporter representatives as the matchday transport plan evolves and improves throughout the season.

Find more travel information on the Everton Matchday Travel Hub.

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