Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are working together to combat illegal match-day football parking on verges, footways, roundabouts and other unauthorised locations around Old Trafford.
The authorities are highlighting the danger that illegal parking can cause to pedestrians, other road users and drivers themselves. Anti-social parking can also make it difficult for emergency vehicles to attend accidents and emergencies.
During Manchester United’s first game of the season, there were 204 penalties issued. Most of these were on Wharfside Way, Bridgewater Way and White City Circle where people had parked in dangerous locations.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said:
“Most fans coming to Old Trafford by car do park sensibly, but a small minority do not and their indiscriminate parking makes our roads dangerous for residents and visitors.
As the football season restarts this weekend we will be cracking down on those who park illegally without consideration for the safety of others. They will face penalty charge notices and we will be working with the police to increase our enforcement of parking and highway regulations.”
GMP Trafford Chief Inspector Sarah Harris, said:
"We are working closely with Trafford Council to ensure those in attendance at games are following the appropriate rules in place to keep people safe. We will not accept those who park illegally on our roads and we will take the relevant enforcement measures if they are seen parking in an unsafe and illegal area.”
Cllr Patel urged fans to travel to games using public transport or to park responsibly in an authorised car park. There are two Metrolink stops just five minutes’ walk from the ground, including Wharfside on the new Trafford Park line.