Hi folks

Just a quick one regarding parking at the HJ. I'm planning on driving down to the semi final next week and I've attended countless games at the HJ over the years and I've always parked in the same place (behind Matalan). Now they have one of those private firms looking after their car park and you get a wonderful £50 fine if you overstay your welcome there.

Could you advise me on the best place to park around the ground?

Any replies to this are greatly appreciated.

Thank you

You don't legally have to pay private parking fines so unless they clamp (highly unlikely) I wouldn't worry.

I believe this used to be the case but having received a ticket on that particular car park last year I was simply going to ignore it. After consulting with a friend of mine who specialises in parking law I changed my mind.

I was informed the law has changed and more and more courts are taking the side of the private firms over the drivers and the firms are taking more and more people to court to prove a point knowing the law has been tweaked in their favour.

I didn't want to be one of the unlucky ones.

If you dont mind paying £4 for the convenience of parking close to the HJ, there is a car park with no time limits towards the top of Dallam lane about 200yds from the ground. Dont leave it til the last minute though, it fills up quite quickly.

I have never paid one and have never had any comeback (although it has been at least 4 years since my last one). I have also never heard of anyone being taken to court over one.

It's free parking on Golden Square multi story on a Sunday, above the main shopping centre. Massive, modern, secure and safe. Carry on past the stadium, through the traffic lights, under the railway bridge, almost right the way round the Cockhedge roundabout following A57 Liverpool sign onto Midland Way. Go up the spiral ramp above Debenhams.

Take the lift down to the mall, follow signs for bus station and you come out 200 yards from the stadium, pubs all around you.

It's open till midnight, and when you come out instead of heading back into the traffic around the stadium follow A57 Manchester road towards Irlam, and you'll pick up the M6 at Woolston, it will be far quieter.

Plenty of free on street parking around Palmyra square/ Museum st in the town centre too. 5-10 mins walk

Just make sure you plough plenty of money into the local economy.

Thanks for the replies folks.

That at least gives me a few options.

There are plenty of residential streets in the area but whatever you do DON'T try parking in one of them. Traffic wardens have a great time on match days and even resdients need parking permits and get hefty fines if they have forgotten to put them in their windscreens. Paying £4 is well worth it round that place

I usually turn left just after the fire station(at the car showroom)and park on that road further down as there are no parking restrictions near to the off licence and it's only a ten or 15 minute walk to the stadium

By using the private firm's facilities (ie their car park) you're entering into a contract. If you renege on that contract, they have a legal right to take you to court. Simples. Take the train, it's only a 5 minute walk.

Usain, is that you?