Plans to deal with thousands of fans expected to pour in and out of Arsenal’s new Emirates stadium were tested last weekend with the team’s first fixture at the venue. Transport for London has spent £50M on improving public transport around the new stadium, including a revamped Tube station.
TfL estimates around 60% of the stadium’s 60,000 spectators will travel by Tube, with the rest driving, using buses or walking.
But, to discourage drivers, roads surrounding the stadium will have match-day parking restrictions, aimed at stopping fans parking in residential streets. The partnership between Islington council and Mouchel Parkman has implemented the largest such scheme in the UK, affecting 14 roads near the venue from two hours before kick-off, until an hour afterwards.
The improvements, part of TfL’s £10bn investment programme, include funding for bus, road, cycle and pedestrian upgrades, and passenger information.
Also included is a contribution towards the £10M Finsbury Park interchange, which will be completed later this year, delivering major improvements to passengers connecting between bus, Tube and national rail services.
Richard Parry, London Underground’s director of strategy said: ‘The plans will ensure safe and reliable access to and from three stations, all within easy walking distance of the new stadium, as well as the many local bus routes.
A TfL spokesman said there were no reports of problems last weekend, but ‘the real test will be when the season starts’.