It would be surprising if local residents did not back plans to introduce match-day parking restrictions on the streets around Odsal stadium.

After all, they must be understandably fed-up with fans parking outside their houses every time Bradford Bulls play at home, so it is a fair bet that they will welcome the suggestion.

But while the current parking free-for-all is unsatisfactory, and the Council is right to try to address the genuine concerns of residents, it is no good tackling one problem only to create another, different problem.

Yet that is exactly what could happen because this move has the potential to cause difficulties for Bradford Bulls and their fans, making it hard for some people to get to the ground and support the team.

If match-day parking restrictions are to be introduced, they need to be off-set by other measures – such as alternative parking, better transport links and possibly even park-and-ride schemes – to help the thousands of rugby league fans get to and from Odsal quickly, cheaply and conveniently.

Sadly, the current plans do not contain any such details – and that is something that needs to be addressed, especially with hopes that the sporting village plan could finally bear fruit. That would mean even more people wanting to come to the area, and not just on match days.