Town fans have reacted angrily to confirmation that matchday parking in Ipswich Borough Council’s car parks around Portman Road will increase in price to £15 from next week.

IBC had proposed the move in September and signs posted in the West End Road car park at Sunday’s game against Manchester United confirmed that the new price will be in operation from December 3rd when the Blues host Crystal Palace.

The five-hour price for the West End Road car park advertised on IBC’s website, which fans might have been paying on a matchday up to now, is £5.90, while the all-day charge is £7.

Councillor Jane Riley, IBC’s portfolio holder for culture and customers, outlined the reasons behind the price increase.
 
“There is significant congestion in the area around the Portman Road stadium when there is a home match being played,” she told TWTD in a statement.
 
“The new tariff of £15 on home match days only applies at our long stay car parks situated on Portman Road, Princes Street, and West End Road, for the period starting three hours before kick-off to one hour after kick-off.
 
“Those prepared to pay the premium will have parking very close to the stadium while the charge may also encourage local fans to travel to games via other means such as park & ride, bus, cycling or walking.
 
“Premium tariffs are common at car parks close to other Premier League grounds on home match days, with some venues charging up to £37 per day.”

Photo: Matchday Images

OldClactonBlue added 18:52 - Nov 27 Disgraceful
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Karlosfandangal added 19:09 - Nov 27 How much has ITFC done for the Town in the last 3 years. Putting money in to the Town and community, plus the success of the club has helped local businesses and the increase in people coming to the Town. Surely they are making more money from full car parks to half full car parks. For those who say use other transport, Train time table don’t get changed when Sky more a game. The Man U game I would have to be there 5 hours before the game and leave 20 mins before the game ended to catch the train home

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Taricco_Fan added 19:10 - Nov 27 Another Ipswich Borough Council masterclass. Keep on voting Labour: the party of the working man (lol).
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blues1 added 19:10 - Nov 27 We were famous. And ud still travel 1.5 hours to ipswich wouldnt you? Just earlier. Ur point was about fans arriving early to go into town before the game. So arriving earlier would make that more likely. But at the end of the day, I was just making the point that you can avoid the increase.
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blues1 added 19:10 - Nov 27 We were famous. And ud still travel 1.5 hours to ipswich wouldnt you? Just earlier. Ur point was about fans arriving early to go into town before the game. So arriving earlier would make that more likely. But at the end of the day, I was just making the point that you can avoid the increase.
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chepstowblue added 19:11 - Nov 27 I'm a control freak and like to travel in my own vehicle, play some decent music, leave when I like etc, as the thought of being attacked and stabbed to death by a bunch of delinquent ferals on public transport does little to entice me to use their unreliable, uncomfortable, and shoddy services. Councils are very different to how they were. Nowadays, a prerequisite for working within the council is that you're a ****. No longer are they public servants or there to help. Making crap decisions to p*** the public off is what gets them off. With these lunatics at the helm, nothing comes as a surprise. Vote her out people.

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Vancouver_Blue added 19:37 - Nov 27 Vote Labour, they won't put taxes up!
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benslifeyt added 19:47 - Nov 27 Disgusting prices. Literally robbing people, would be nice if the club spoke up too about the disgusting treatment from ibc
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itfchorry added 20:33 - Nov 27 Just off the Highway Robbery
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Westy added 21:04 - Nov 27 I also suspect that those using these car parks near the ground have young children in tow so it is not as if four adults in a car could contribute to the cost. This is very short sighted and foolish. I wonder if the Club could put a little pressure on IBC to rethink this?
4

churchmans added 21:16 - Nov 27 I walk every match day so it doesn't affect me! But this is a total pissz take
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SoCalTownFan added 21:40 - Nov 27 Parked in the car park opposite the souvenir shop earlier this year. Took us 45 minutes to get out and another 30 to get to the A14. Nice to be able to park right next to the ground, but comes with consequences in addition to getting ripped off.
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Bert added 22:02 - Nov 27 Yes, it is a steep rise and not the time to do it. That said, bear in mind that Council Tax pays for less than 50% of council services because of years of reducing central government support so the shortfall has to come from fees and charges. Business rates are also levied on car parks. The solution is for the club and IBC and SCC to look at the problem of match day parking and make Park and Ride work better. At least the away supporters coaches will now pay their way …… whilst home supporters coaches remain grid locked on Portman Walk because of the cars which park there for free often jostling with those with blue badges who have a right to park there.

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MickMillsTash added 22:41 - Nov 27 The parking spots near the ground should be prioritised to be used by those who cannot walk/ walk far and their parking charges supported by those who can walk but choose not to. SO if you have a blue badge you pay £3 if you don't have a blue badge you can pay £25 - someone in the council can do the Maths to make that fair. If you are caught with a half and half Man United scarf you get your tyres slashed.

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Tedray added 23:09 - Nov 27 This is typical of our pathetic Ipswich councillors, we once had an ideal airport,a wonderful Tourist Information Centre .The latter was closed I believe to save money but then converted at what cost into a so called music centre.Where is the pride,ambition and drive to make something of this embarrasment of a town where we live.I suppose the councillors are paid for their so called dis services.

3

PortmanTerrorist added 23:31 - Nov 27 Evil tax on those less mobile who might NEED to get closer to the ground. People are already being charged more in those car parks anyway, as you have to get to them so early !
4

tractorshark added 00:25 - Nov 28 Absolutely disgraceful decision. Pure greed and opportunism. Got nothing to do with congestion apart from the fact they plan to profit from it. I drive up from Sussex for each match so getting there three hours earlier is not exactly easy. To hike the prices by 150% is an absolute scandal and the people of Ipswich should be letting their excuse for a council know it. Just don’t plan to do it via social media. The cowards have turned their comments off.

6

warfarinman69 added 00:29 - Nov 28 Free use of P&R is a good shout, but the one we used to use on Norwich Road was closed ages ago. The P&R bus from Martlesham just adds to congestion in town. And it's a long bike ride from Framlingham. And for many recent k.o. times there is no bus! A council without a brain.... Parking is not free in Stowmarket nor Woodbridge. If the town centre was better I would arrive earlier!@ This decision makes no sense

4

bobble added 06:09 - Nov 28 Councils are the enemy of civilisation ,common sense and fairness.. Another layer of politics to further hinder our lives.....
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tractorboybig added 06:18 - Nov 28 And the rip off begins
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Robert_Garrett added 06:46 - Nov 28 I travel by car from Germany and have a German blue badge and park on Portman road next to the ground. Where do I park now? I travel 16 hours to get to home games. Parliament is going to debate the petition I signed – “Call a General Election”. The debate is scheduled for 6 January 2025. As a pensioner I have just lost my winter fuel allowance. Where is this insanity going to end.

2

slade1 added 07:22 - Nov 28 Have I got this right? I always park in the west end road car park. I arrive 4 hours before kick off to meet friends for lunch. I pay £7 for 24 hours. If I read the article properly, the £15 charge comes into operation 3 hours before kick off. as I arrive 4 hours before kick off, I still only pay £7? Have I got this right, or is my old brain muddled!?
1

warwickblueboy added 07:55 - Nov 28 Typically the negative comments will be from those that chose to drive in and insist on parking right next to the stadium rather than seeing the bigger picture. Really the council are not going to be making much money from a few hundred cars parking 20 odd times per season are they. Those with mobility issues should obviously be prioritised and that’s it, anybody else can park in town or find another way in. The comment that “half the car parks will be empty” inadvertently makes the point that the aim is to ease congestion not profiteer.

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Carberry added 08:10 - Nov 28 'Councillor Jane Riley, IBC’s portfolio holder for culture and customers'.....that says it all doesn't it. Absolute BS.
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tractorshark added 08:29 - Nov 28 WarwickBlue…. You’re being very naive if you think it’s solely about easing congestion. It’s like saying the Congestion Zone in London is truly about congestion. It’s a massive money spinner masquerading as a goodwill act. It hasn’t solved the problem, it has raked in cash. The council’s comment about how much it costs at other Premier League grounds says it all. If it was truly about congestion, they wouldn’t be trying to justify it with a comparison to London prices. If it was truly about congestion, the council would operate an effective park and ride scheme but they don’t and there is no mention of alternative parking solutions. People will still park there, I guarantee getting out after matches will still be hard work, the fans will be fleeced and the council will claw in a bit of cash that someone will no doubt waste on a sculpture on a roundabout rather than a frontline service.

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