This is my 1st contribution to the site so hope it goes well. Anyone have any suggestions as to best way to exit club car park on match days because at the end of a game it turns into a free for all and several times nearly had car clipped. With it being close season surely now is the time to alter it if it gets done. Or at least look into change. For me the main problem is pontefract Road and perhaps the police can temporarily shut this to traffic not exiting oakwell (usually stood under viaduct so no extra policing reqd) as they do at many grounds allowing traffic to exit the ground quicker without having to deal with normal flowing traffic going past.
It will always be a problem and I can’t see a solution. The obvious answer though is to park ten minutes away like I do. Free street parking and no hassle getting away. Not telling you where though but it’s easy enough to find somewhere.
They've tried all sorts of systems over the last couple of years and the current one is probably as good as it's been. The best solution if you can afford to wait is simply to let it calm down a bit first. I typically exit via the top exit, which isn't opened immediately after the game, but I generally wait until the initial rush has died down. Ultimately, my exit time isn't that much worse than the majority but it's far less hassle to keep the engine switched off for a bit before attempting to leave. It also gives the option of choosing which exit to use. Quite often the bottom exits are clear enough by then to turn around and use those.
To start with, they should re-line it like a proper car-park so that early leavers can get away. Having long lines of cars means that some are hemmed in waiting for late leavers to come back for their cars - no good for traffic flow. Secondly the car park stewards should then make people park from the bottom to the top and fill up from there. You quite often see people park where they want leaving swathes of empty spaces in the middle of the car-park. Then I'd have someone directing traffic at the end of Grove Street like they used to do in the old 4th Division days. There was always a policeman on Pontefract Road directing traffic before and after the game to keep traffic flowing. We pay South Yorkshire police enough money so it wouldn't hurt to ask if one of 'em could be on traffic directing duties. If you go to Universal Studios, it works like clockwork with very little waiting either getting in or out of the car-park plus there must be over 10,000 cars parked there at any one time.
I always wonder what people are doing - who have not been to the footy - driving around Ponty Road, and especially up and down Oakwell Lane, at 5 pm on a Saturday when we're at home - numpty springs to mind.
My solution worked great right up to the point the club stopped home supporters parking on the queens ground. Sat in the West stand and used to leave the car there. Apart from when there were big away followings it was a two minute get away. Now park in the courthouse car park, nip across the railway bridge and down to the ground. It's a five minute walk but at least you get straight away and it's free.
