New Man United stadium to have fewer car parks as fans ‘nudged’ to alternative transport

Manchester United supporters are set to be ‘nudged' towards using public transport to travel to matches at the club's planned 100,000-capacity stadium.

A newly released strategic masterplan document, which revealed the proposed site of the stadium, outlined plans to remove existing car parks in the surrounding area, with fans set to be encouraged to travel by public transport.

Masterplan reveals plans to remove car parks

In the strategic masterplan document, released on Thursday, July 9, it was stated that Manchester United plan to build their new ground on what is currently the site of an indoor go-karting track in Trafford Park, having acquired the land earlier this year.

In addition to plans for the stadium, the document also outlined plans for the surrounding Trafford Wharfside area, including stating that “existing surface car parks must be consolidated and removed to make best use of available land.”

In response to removing car parks, Trafford Council leader Tom Ross said “car reliance was something we need to work through”, going on to admit that they need to “nudge people towards public transport alternatives.”

The document, named the Trafford Wharfside Strategic Masterplan, covers an area of around 150 hectares, which is currently largely dominated by car parks that are used by Manchester United supporters on matchdays at Old Trafford.

While a majority of these car parks look set to be removed, the club are still working on the exact design of their stadium and will announce parking areas – including accessible parking – in due course.

The masterplan does, however, include plans for a new railway station, which would replace the existing platforms behind the Sir Bobby Charlton stand at Old Trafford, which have not been used for almost a decade due to safety and security concerns.

Fans would, therefore, be encouraged to make use of public transport to travel to the proposed new stadium for matchdays.

FGG Says: Exciting news for Man Utd fans

While Man Utd fans will be immediately concerned by potential travel plans to the newly-proposed stadium, the overall development in the surrounding area – including the new venue – make for exciting news.

Man Utd are a club deserving of the best in class, and although Old Trafford is one of the most iconic venues in the country, it is not what it used to be and a move to a new state-of-the-art facility is exactly what the club needs.