Manchester United fans who block residents’ driveways and park anti-socially round the Old Trafford stadium could soon be impacted by changes being put forward to alleviate nuisance parking on match days.

A special task group set up by Trafford council to investigate the problem garnered 438 responses and has prompted a series of recommendations, including partnering with Manchester United to try to resolve the issue. 

The provision of more cycle storage facilities at the famous ground is one of the proposed solutions.

Coun David Acton told last night’s (Monday January 29) meeting of the authority’s executive: “It was no surprise that those who live near Old Trafford and the councillors who represent the area that the main problems were traffic and anti-social parking.”

Included in the recommendations was setting up ‘red routes’ across some of the roads around the stadium which means vehicles cannot stop.

“We have regulatory powers to do this,” said Coun Acton. “Hopefully we can deliver this as soon as possible.

“We also need to encourage Manchester United to increase bike storage at the stadium to increase cycling as an alternative to driving.

“This is because with 74,000 people going there regularly on match days, there are very few cycling spaces provided.”

He said that Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has started a shuttle service and it is hoped this could be expanded and ‘pressure’ would be put on to have different ways of offering transport to the ground.

Council leader Tom Ross said: “There is a lot of public interest in this. I declare an interest as someone who lives within the scope of that. I’m impacted by matchday parking as well.

“I think it’s really important to say that beyond this task and finish group, the ward councillors have secured some really good relationships with the club.

“There’s some partnership work taking place between the ward councillors and the club and this helps us as we work together with Manchester United and improve the experience for residents living round there.”