Liverpool’s relationship with many Anfield residents has been severely strained after proposals to make the long-standing closure of a road next to the stadium permanent were recommended for approval by officials but appear likely to be refused by councillors.
Background to the closure
An area of Anfield Road between Alroy Road and Skerries Road has been closed to motor traffic for around five years while the club extended the Anfield Road stand. The construction was finished in 2024, and since then the route has been available to pedestrians and cyclists but has not been reopened to cars.
Planning row and community response
The club submitted an application seeking to retain the closure permanently and to adjust a stadium respite window to permit concerts in July. That package of changes attracted strong criticism during council consideration.
Planning committee members indicated they were minded to refuse the scheme after hearing that consultations showed substantial opposition from local people. Two separate surveys conducted as part of the application process recorded the following levels of resistance:
- September 2024: 66% of respondents opposed the change
- March 2025: Opposition increased to 74%
| Survey date | Opposition recorded |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | 66% |
| March 2025 | 74% |
Safety and operational arguments from the club
A planning consultant representing Liverpool FC told the committee the land around the stadium is under the club’s ownership and that a private highway was created during the redevelopment. She said delayed works were the reason the road remained closed after completion and that a safety audit concluded reopening to vehicles would be feasible once signs and road markings were installed.
She cautioned that reopening the route would create "the only weak point" around the stadium.
The consultant also pointed to high visitor numbers across the year and said the area functions as a protected pedestrian route on matchdays. Concerns about terrorism and hostile vehicle attacks were raised as part of the safety case.
What happens next
Members of the planning committee have signalled they are likely to refuse the permanent closure. That decision would represent a significant rebuke to the club, which had been recommended for approval by council officers despite the unfavourable consultation results and criticism from local representatives.
For residents, the dispute is about more than traffic management: it concerns public access, how major community stakeholders engage with neighbourhoods, and the perceived balance between stadium operations and local quality of life. The planning committee’s forthcoming formal decision will determine whether the temporary arrangement becomes permanent or whether the road must be reopened to motor traffic in line with local wishes.
Reporting will continue as the council moves to a formal vote and any potential next steps are clarified.
