There was a bit of a buzz on social media yesterday about Fryent Country Park being used as a car park for the Ed Sheeran concerts at Wembley Stadium. I had seen for myself crowds heading towards Wembley along The Paddocks (rather than the advertised Kings Drive route) often with young children in tow so investigated. The result was the video above.
Some of the people I spoke to were concerned about the length of the walk (25 minutes was advertised) and particularly anxious about getting back to the field in darkness after the concert.
The recommended route
There were complaints about '25 quid to park in a field' lthough that compares with £40 in Wembley Park.
I do not know whether the arrangements were made ahead of the RMT rail strikes or because of them. Labour councillors may be interested to find out to see whether the effect was to undermine union action.
The main issue for locals is whether this will set a precedent, Fryent Way has been used as a coach or car park before for large events, but going into the park proper is new.
The new stadium was much vaunted as a public transport destination but that intention has since been overtaken by car park development in the stadium area and local residents renting out their driveways on event days. Ironically, Brent Council itself took action against Chalkhill Primary School to prevent it making additional income to improve educational opportunities for its children by letting out its playground for event day parking.
It would be interesting to know where the 'Park and Walk' earnings will be going.
Does Brent Council need planning permission to convert a green space into a car park business?
This is the official information on the Wembley Stadium website:
Fryent Park Car Parking
Event day parking will also be available at Fryent Park (W3W: firms.fully.daring) on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June, just a 25 minute walk north of the stadium. A map of the car park can be found here.
This car park will be operational from 1200 on each event day and all walk routes will be signposted to and from the stadium.
Parking is available at £25 per vehicle: Please visit Wembley’s Park The Car Here website for more details. All event day parking must be pre-booked, otherwise car park access will not be permitted on the day.
