Residents march against Everton stadium

Sep 10 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

KIRKBY residents held a demonstration against the building of Everton’s new 50,000-seat stadium in their town centre.

The protest on Saturday was a reaction to Knowsley council’s decision last week not to allow residents to vote on the controversial scheme.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday evening, Lib-Dem councillors wanted the authority to ask the Electoral Reform Society to hold a ballot similar to one carried out by Everton FC, but the ruling Labour party voted against the move by 37 votes to 11.

Saturday’s march, organised by Kirkby Residents’ Action Group (Krag), began at 1.45pm at the Waverley Social Club in South Park Road, and continued through the town centre, concluding with a rally on the proposed development site.

More than 300 people took part, many holding aloft banners painted with messages including: “Wanted: 20,000 parking spaces”, “Bill Kenwright’s biggest production yet: Massacre of our town” and “Let the people of Kirkby decide what they want. Give them a vote”.

One of the protest’s organisers, Krag member Ian Morris, said: “The march went well and a few hundred people took part – men, women and children of all ages.

“Knowsley council’s decision not to give residents a say on this has angered a lot of people.

“We want to get the message over to all Kirkby residents about the huge impact that building a football stadium in the heart of the town centre will have on their lives.

“There will be increased traffic, more anti-social behaviour, a loss of green space, and so-on.

“I and many others are against having a stadium here.”

Last month, Everton- ians voted in favour of the Kirkby move, which could see a new stadium built in time for the 2010 season, by a 59% to 41% majority.

Mr Morris, 49, a lecturer who lives in the Westvale area of Kirkby, added: “We’re going to continue to campaign.

“We’ll be holding further public meetings and will be lobbying the council as we did on Wednesday evening.

“We’re still calling for the residents of Kirkby to be given a vote, as Everton supporters themselves were.” Lib-Dem deputy leader Dave Smithson said he could sympathise with the campaigners.

He said: “I can see no justification in allowing Everton fans to vote but not those whose lives will be affected week-in, week-out by this.

“Those staging the protest feel they are not being listened to and they have every right to express their views.

“I’m not against the regeneration of Kirkby – and this proposal has some great features – but, in a democratic society, people have the right to have a say.”

Labour councillor Bill Brennan said: “People have every entitlement to protest.

“As far as I understand it, though, it would be against current planning law to permit this vote to take place.”

Although Everton FC and development partner Tesco have unveiled images of how they want the development off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive to look, Knowsley council must also draw up a new “vision” for Kirkby.

paulaowens