RESIDENTS have blasted football fans who block them in as they flock to the area on match days.

Locals told how supporters mount curbs and stop on double yellow lines when visiting nearby Leigh Sports Village Stadium to watch games.

Greater Manchester Police ticketed several vehicles found blocking driveways and crowding pavements during the Manchester United Women's 6-0 win over Liverpool on January 15. 

LSV stadium is host to the Man Utd Women's team who share the stadium with local rugby league team Leigh Centurions as well as the Man United men's youth teams.

Residents are calling for residential zones and more action from the police, complaining that they have been left “trapped” in their homes at weekends.

Norma Higginbotham, 62, told Manchester Evening News: “It’s a nightmare. It’s ridiculous. We’ve had to put a sign up asking to keep the driveway clear.

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"They double park on the corner. We can’t get off the drive, fire engines and ambulances would have no chance of getting through.

“I have lived here for 22 years. I wish they hadn’t brought LSV here now, we used to have loads of fields and trees. It’s brought more problems than benefits.

"I’m now dreading this every weekend. We are forced to stay in as a result of this parking.”

Norma believes that this is a safety issue that could be solved with stricter punishment and residential permits.

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She claimed that these were promised by Wigan Council years ago, but nothing has come about yet.

The 62-year-old also said she is concerned about her grandkids playing on the streets after seeing a dog get runover.

Wigan Council say it is aware of the problems.

Councillors are working with police and sending Civil Enforcement Officers to issue tickets to cars parked illegally. 

Other residents Jim Barker and his partner Barbara Scott have resorted to parking a car in front of their own drive to stop people blocking them in every match day.

“Years ago there were plenty of traffic wardens, they are a bit thin on the ground now. It is a nightmare", Jim said.

Barbara worries the cars parked on the road will stop emergency service vehicles getting down the street.

Another resident said the parking issue is "open carnage" and suggested slapping tickets on the cars is the only way to deter people.

A Wigan Council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the reported parking issues around Leigh Sports Village on match days.

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"We are looking at how best to tackle this issue in consultation with all residents, including a possible survey of local streets surrounding the LSV to see whether a ‘Resident Permit Parking Scheme’ may be a suitable solution.

“In the shorter term, we will continue to work alongside the LSV and the police in tackling this parking concern on match days, including sending Civil Enforcement Officers to issue tickets to cars parked illegally. There is car parking available on site at the LSV, but on busy match days this does fill up quickly."

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