Everton fans report congestion issues at new stadium

Everton fans are raising concerns after attending a second test event at the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The stadium, which cost £800 million, is expected to become the team's home next season. The recent event featured Everton's Under-21s playing against Bolton Wanderers’ B team, drawing around 25,000 attendees. Many fans reported significant delays while trying to leave the stadium. They faced long queues as they approached the nearby Bascule bridge, which struggled to accommodate the large crowd. Social media posts from supporters highlighted the congestion. Some fans also experienced lengthy waits at Sandhills train station. This issue was previously raised during an earlier test event. Despite these complaints, transport officials said that 99% of attendees had a good experience. Merseyrail noted that over 12,000 fans passed through the station without incident. However, Everton supporters are worried about safety. Tony Scott, a local podcast host, expressed concerns over the crowding and suggested more train services should have been available to prevent delays. He emphasized that with the stadium's full capacity expected to be much higher, these issues could create serious safety risks. Fans took to social media to voice their opinions and frustrations. Some believe that the stadium management should have addressed these issues long ago. There were also complaints about insufficient facilities during the first test event, particularly regarding the number of portable toilets available. The stadium is set to become the seventh largest in the Premier League. If these issues remain unresolved, they could pose problems for the club, especially since the venue is slated to be used for the 2028 European Championships.