A NEW 21,000-seat stadium for Southend United could restrict parking in areas surrounding the stadium during matchdays.

Details of a proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) are included among several new planning documents for the Fossetts Farm stadium, off Eastern Avenue.

It calls for a boundary to be placed around the stadium on matchdays, which would mean only 1,000 vehicles can park in the area, equal to the capacity of the stadium’s car park.

The boundary would stretch from Southchurch Road in the south to Journeymans Way in the north, a distance of almost three miles, and Victoria Avenue to the west to Hamstel Road in the east, a distance of two miles.

A spokesperson for transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave said: “The club is keen to ensure fans arriving by car have no adverse impact upon surrounding residents.

“There are circa 1,000 dedicated spaces at the stadium and to ensure that residential amenity is protected further, Southend Council has requested the club funds the provision of a CPZ.

“The club has agreed and it will be similar to those in place around stadiums throughout the UK, such as Wembley and Fulham. It will only operate in the period immediately before, during and after home matches.  There will be signs and marked out bays and during these periods, only residents displaying permits will be allowed to park on street within the zone. “The extent of the zone and the details of the controls will be determined in full consultation with residents.”

Matches at Roots Hall attract an average of 3,497 vehicles and the parking proposal notes that the additional 2,500 vehicles will be expected to park using locations outside of the stadium boundary.

Councillor Andrew Moring, chairman of the council’s traffic working party, said: “The proposal of a controlled parking zone needs clarification as it would be very unfair if residents find they can’t park outside their homes on a matchday. This stadium will also be located further from the railway station and does not have as good bus transport links.”

The assessment notes Victoria Avenue, Queensway, Manners Way and Eastern Avenue are expected to see a reduction of traffic on matchdays, while there will be an increase in Bournemouth Park Avenue, Priory Crescent, Sutton Road and Fossetts Way.