GIGG Lane will become virtually a car-free zone in a bid to prevent traffic chaos during weekend and weekday Bury FC matches.

Residents will be required to move their vehicles from outside their homes during games but will be issued with stickers by club bosses.

This will enable Gigg Lane householders to resite their cars on a strip of land outside the Bury FC Social Club. The permits will also be available to those people residing in nearby Berkshire Court.

It has its own parking area but flat owners will have to prove to police they live there prior to being given access on match days. These new measures come after a complete review of policing arrangements for Bury FC matches and take into account the prospect of far bigger crowds.

During match days, from 1pm on Saturday and 6pm on weekdays, manned police barriers will be set up at the Manchester Road entrance to Gigg Lane and on adjoining streets to prevent access. Ch Insp David Morris of Bury police said: "We want to keep the Gigg Lane area completely free and to provide access for the emergency services if and when required.

"It's going to be very much a case of suck it and see. The biggest problem will be for the residents and how they will respond to the call to park elsewhere. "These measures have been decided in view of the expected increased support for home matches. While the intention is to keep Gigg Lane free of traffic, this plan will be monitored match by match.

"Even though we appreciate there will be some inconvenience to residents, I hope we can keep this down to a minimum."

Appealing for Gigg Lane householders to show patience and understanding, the police chief continued: "We believe these new arrangements will improve the comfort and safety of those travelling to matches and also residents."

The measures will stay in force until each match is completed and the crowds have dispersed.

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