We live next to a famous football stadium – we love getting free tickets to concerts but there’s a massive downside

HOMEOWNERS living next to a huge stadium have told how crowds leave them trapped in their homes.

Football fans descend on the area surrounding Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Bristol City football club, on match days.

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Football fans descend on the area surrounding Ashton Gate Stadium[/caption]

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Climate scientist Josh Bennett, 28, revealed he’s forced to move his car on match days[/caption]

And those living there have told how parking is impossible.

Whenever a goal is scored roars from the stadium echo around the streets.

Climate scientist Josh Bennett, 28, revealed he’s forced to move his car on match days.

But he loves getting free tickets to concerts.

He said: “I sometimes have to move my car when there’s a game on and there’s often a heavy police presence with horses.

“But it’s a novelty rather than an inconvenience and I love the nice vibe we get from there always being something going on.”

Ken Gardner, 68, a retired engineer, has lived in his house for 11 years and admitted he can feel “trapped”.

He said: “The number of cameras around the stadium mean it’s a really safe area to live in.

“On a match day you can feel slightly trapped but you just have to work around it.

“You will never find a parking space at 3pm.”

Tom Gilboy, a retired road worker, has lived by the stadium for 35 years.

He said parking in the area was “bad”, but he tried to take “no notice” of the noise.

He added: “I take no notice of the stadium and I take no notice of the noise.

“Every day the parking is bad, it’s not just matchdays — but there are good people around here, a lot of them are posh.

“I’m more into horse racing and boxing.

“I’ve been to one game in my time here and I left at half-time.”

Nicholas, 49, council worker, agreed parking was a serious issue.

Nicholas, who wouldn’t give his surname, has lived in the area for 12 years.

He said: “I don’t like football but I think it’s great that we have a stadium in the city still.

“Parking is the only real disruption but that’s an issue every day, not just when the football or rugby is on.

“And noise is only noticeable when they score.

“There’s a sense of mass excitement beforehand and a lot of fans sit on the wall opposite us.

“Litter can be an issue but it’s usually cleared up quickly — the only thing I’d ask for is a few more recycling bins.

“The games end at 5pm and everyone is gone within an hour so it’s really not a big deal at all, especially because so much money is spent at local businesses.”

Luke Everett, 54, a construction manager, said the area was “busy and noisy”.

Luke, who said he’d lived there for six years, added: “We get a great atmosphere on the matchdays and overall I’d say it’s definitely a positive.

“There is more and more noise during the summer now because of concerts.

“It takes a week and a half for them to set up and pack down for a big gig and that’s not good for parking or families here with young children.

“The parking is probably the worst aspect of it.”

Bristol Sport and Bristol City Council have been contacted for comment.

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Ken Gardner, 68, a retired engineer, has lived in his house for 11 years and admitted he can feel ‘trapped’[/caption]

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Nicholas, 49, council worker, agreed parking was a serious issue[/caption]