Firms ruled offside over parking

Businesses which allow Derby County fans to park on their premises on match days are breaking planning laws, according to the city council.

It follows complaints from the football club about the time it takes supporters to leave Pride Park Stadium after a game because of congestion.

The council has informed businesses they can no longer let people use their car parks on match days.

The announcement has come just two days before the start of the new season.

I don't think the council are doing it willy-nilly and being killjoys Matt McCann, Derby County

The council's assistant director of regeneration Richard Williams said the club had asked the authority whether businesses near the stadium were authorised to offer parking on match days.

"At least some of the businesses did not have permission to sell parking. The car parks are only to be used by them and their customers during the working day."

He added that once the season got under way the council would be monitoring how many companies were allowing supporters to use their car parks.

Derby County spokesman Matt McCann said the club had called in the council because of safety issues.

"I don't think the council are doing it willy-nilly and being killjoys.

"It was taking some supporters more than an hour to leave the Pride Park complex. If there were a major incident the emergency services would have problems getting to the ground."