Parking Options For Home Matches : Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:25 pm  

I hope the following is useful for those of you driving or considering driving to home matches.

I took a look at the parking options at the end of November, both Saturday (for comparison) and Sunday lunchtimes. Looks very good to me.

I’d be very confident you can be to drive to the match and be certain of parking. Unless the crowds are WAY above expectations it should be quite easy. Visitors with limited walking range need to look at options which will include using the drop off zone, using the in ground parking options or parking on single yellow lines. I believe those who qualify for a blue badge can park for 3 hours on a single yellow (and maybe even double yellow) unless there are loading restrictions. Suggest checking the local council rules.

Waterside Way is 500m+ long, virtually opposite the stadium (the part you enter so no walking all the way along). Industrial. Some yellow lines but I estimated 130 spots I’d park in. Lots of cars parked there long term I suspect, but I’d estimated 75 “spaces” at 1:30pm today. On the left you park on the road. On the right all cars have one set of wheels on the path. Buses (parking not for passengers) and Cappagh vans have yards on the road so need to park on path to ensure they get through easily. Quiet road, little passing “trade”.

Weir Road is effectively the back of Plough Lane. Closest end is just under half a mile away. Entirely industrial, Ocado depot towards the end so people around (so good). Includes marked parking areas and lots of unrestricted places you can park. Too much for me to count the number of spaces.

My preference is North Road. Residential and park. Clearly marked parking bays (although the paint is a bit faded!). So by the park area 24 marked bays. Zero used Saturday. Zero used Sunday. With the bonus that they are clearly marked as Mon to Fri (until 6:30pm) restrictions only. So even usable for a Friday match. Walk from there down Chaucer Way (which itself has 100m of parking on left, 50m on right). No cars on Saturday. Three on Sunday. Same Mon-Fri (until 6:30pm) restrictions clearly marked. But there is far more parking even on the side roads of North Road all clearly marked. Most free as residents have their own parking. Plough Lane (signposted) is a direct walk alongside the Wandle cycle path. 1km walk to stadium (the corner you will enter). You appear on Plough Lane next to a traffic lighted crossing near the ground.

All above parking is free. Queens Road Car Park in Wimbledon is £2.50 on a Sunday. Plenty of space but a 1.5 mile walk.

Most residential roads off Haydons Road are Mon to Fri restrictions. In fact on Sunday’s you can park in many marked spaces on Haydons Road but I wouldn’t bother. The councils (Merton & Wandsworth) and residents will likely “encourage” use of the two Industrial Roads I mentioned (and even North Road within reason) by simply keeping quiet. I think they’d prefer that to Broncos fans legally using the spots outside residents houses.

I hope that helps and gives confidence that for anybody who is able to walk up to 1km, that parking is unlikely to be an issue.

Re: Parking Options For Home Matches : Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:13 am  

Nice work! Waterside Way should be fine, really.

Re: Parking Options For Home Matches : Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:03 am  

Thank you, appreciated.

Re: Parking Options For Home Matches : Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:55 am  

Cheers Smithers. That’s helpful.

Re: Parking Options For Home Matches : Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:07 am  

Mash Tun wrote:

Nice work! Waterside Way should be fine, really.

With the crowd levels likely to be fairly low and especially on a Sunday I agree Waterside Way should work for most.

I should add that Waterside Way is also the best place to drop off passengers who can't walk too far. To let people out of your car you will easily be able to at the beginning of Waterside Way (junction with Plough Lane)

There is a drop off spot in front of the stadium entrance, but it is a pain to get cars in and out. I'm a bit surprised when building the large pedestrian area alongside the South Stand, the corner wasn't "chopped off" to make the car access a bit wider.

I'd only recommend the drop off point if Waterside Way is too far away for your passenger. Lifts are available to get to the West Stand concourse if required, otherwise it is steps.

To help with bearings, if you walk to the very end of Waterside Way there is pedestrian access to the Wandle path which is the walking route to Chaucer Way / North Road.