Northampton Borough Council is drawing up an action plan to tackle potential traffic issues at Sixfields and Franklin’s Gardens, following the announcement that Coventry City will be playing their home games in Northampton for the next three seasons.
The Sky Blues’ plans to play at Sixfields were approved by the Football League on Monday evening, and in the light of the development, a match day task force is being formed.
Council leader, Councillor David Mackintosh (Con, Rectory Farm), has initiated the formation of the group to “ensure the new arrangement happens smoothly and with minimal disruption to local people.”
Councillor Mackintosh has spoken to Northamptonshire County Council leader Jim Harker, the chairmen of both the Saints and the Cobblers and the chairman of St James Residents’ Association to arrange a meeting this Thursday, July 11.
He has also pledged to work with Upton Parish Council.
He said: “The residents have told us repeatedly there are problems with parking and traffic on match days and if Coventry City home fixtures move to Sixfields, there will be new challenges. So I have taken the opportunity to bring people together to tackle them once and for all.
“Both sports clubs are important to the vibrancy and economic well-being of our town and their development will help with our overall programme of economic regeneration.
“It is in all our interests to tackle the problems and ensure that this move can go ahead, but that cannot be at the expense of the local communities.
“In May 2012, we worked with the Saints and the Homes and Communities Agency to open the Claret car park to ease the situation, but we need to build on this. We are all committed at the highest level to making this work and are starting to talk to local residents and put a plan together straight away.”