EXCLUSIVE: Police concerns about new Dundee FC stadium traffic revealed for first time.

In March, a traffic management plan was presented to the local government, outlining how disturbance will be reduced on match days.

Police think Dundee FC’s proposal to regulate traffic at their new Camperdown stadium could jeopardise road safety. The Dark Blues are requesting permission to build a 12,500-seat stadium to replace their old home at Dens Park.

Dark Blue Property Holdings (DBPH), the business founded by Dee supremos Tim Keyes and John Nelms to create the ground, submitted a planning in principle application to Dundee City Council (DCC) in February of last year.

Its 17-page traffic management plan, filed to the local authorities in March, details methods to reduce traffic disturbance while maintaining safety on matchdays.

Following its submission, Dundee City Council requested feedback from cops because the application directly affects policing operations.

Police Scotland presented their reaction to the draft management plan on May 30. Senior Tayside officers have told The Courier that the planned traffic management strategy “poses as many questions as it answers” and potentially exacerbate safety risks. They also stated that the plan has “several issues” that are “lacking in detail”.

Because Police Scotland is not a statutory consultee, Dundee City Council is not required to publish their views on its planning webpage, thus they have not been made public until now.

Dundee FC concerns

It is understood that Dark Blue Property Holdings has expressed concerns about the time it took to get the police report.

They had stated that the results were not shared with them until July 24. The traffic management strategy contained details such as where supporter coaches may park on matchdays.

According to the draft paper, visiting coaches will be stationed on Liff Road, southwest of the stadium, between Myrekirk Road and the Kingsway.

Vehicles will come on the A90 – Myrekirk Road – Liff Road.

Supporters’ coaches will park on the north lane, allowing non-football traffic to flow freely on the south carriageway.

No more parking will be permitted on Liff Road.

However, Police Scotland’s analysis states that Liff Road is “not suitable for the proposed coach parking area” since the north pavement is “approximately 1m wide and bounded by an old dry-stone dyke, which likely forms part of Camperdown Park’s boundary”.

The report continued: “There are several business premises on the south of this single carriageway road, and it is unknown how this infrastructure can be improved.”

Concerns were also made about coaches dropping off spectators on surrounding streets, something authorities claim happens at Dens.

According to Police Scotland, if this occurs at the proposed Camperdown complex, it “could pose significant disruption and added road safety risks”.

Concerns were also voiced regarding potential congestion and increased safety risks caused by coaches abandoning Liff Road.

Camperdown Leisure Park query

Police Scotland also raised concerns over proposals to restrict supporter parking at Camperdown Leisure Park.

The stadium traffic control plan said that stewards would be assigned along Dayton Drive at the entry to guarantee that individuals parking were customers of the companies nearby.

Senior authorities questioned how they would discern between stadium and retail park guests.

The source continued: “If they are able to convince these employees they are attending the retail park or Camperdown Park, which will not be difficult to do, again, the first port of call for inconsiderate parking will be police.”

DBPH response

The Courier understands that DBPH specialists have questioned some of the concerns stated by Police Scotland in their response.

This includes the claim that Liff Road is unsuitable for coach parking, which they admit will be modified to improve safety.

DBPH representatives also deny Police Scotland’s concerns about parking at the Camperdown Leisure Park.

It is understood that they believe the matter should be addressed by the club and park owners rather than cops.

Stadium decision yet to be made

Dundee is still waiting for a council judgement on the Camperdown stadium application, which will be made by the local authority’s planning committee.

However, significant concerns remain over the road interchange leading onto the site from the Kingsway dual highway.

Transport Scotland rejected the original designs draughted by transport consultant experts Systra, as well as subsequent amendments provided.

That sparked a battle of words between Transport Scotland and Dundee head Nelms, with the latter blaming “inexplicable procedural anomalies” for impeding the application.

However, last month, DBPH published an update stating that “constructive” negotiations had taken place with DCC and Police Scotland.

A new transport assessment has also been submitted to the local council, which DBPH claims addresses technical issues about the Kingsway junction.

The Dundee City Council planning committee is next set to meet on November 3, thus no decision will be made until then.

A Police Scotland representative stated: “Police Scotland, as a consultee, along with other partner agencies, often provide feedback to planning committees on planning applications,to best keep people and our communities safe.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on an application under consideration.”

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