Ipswich Town give fans travel options for derby

Football fans heading to the East Anglian derby have been advised how they can now travel to the game ahead of major rail disruption.

Ipswich Town will travel to Norwich City on 11 April, but no direct trains will be available between the two places that weekend because of engineering works.

The club has arranged extra coaches and Town fans will have to pick one of four ways to travel to the Championship clash when they buy their match tickets, which will have to be collected on the day.

Martin Beable, on behalf of Greater Anglia and Network Rail, said plans had been confirmed to "make sure supporters can travel safely to and from the game".

He added: "We are sorry our planned work will affect supporters travelling to the game by rail.

"We plan our rail improvement work very carefully, a long time in advance, to minimise the impact on journeys and to allow everyone to plan ahead."

Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton said the lack of trains had "presented challenges outside of the club's control".

"Over a period of many weeks, we have been in dialogue with the authorities to fight for the best possible outcome for our supporters," he said.

"While not perfect, we are pleased we have been able to achieve an outcome which is both practical and affordable."

The mainline will be closed while Network Rail engineers carry out works, which rail company Greater Anglia said were usually planned many months in advance.

The Blues have now offered ticket holders four alternative ways to get to the game, which will also determine where they pick up their tickets.

Fans can choose to get on one of the discounted extra coaches laid on by the club, use Norwich's Postwick park and ride site, travel by train from other parts of the country, or drive.

The travel restrictions mean tickets will not be posted to supporters nor be available to collect from Carrow Road, "due to safety considerations" raised by Norfolk Police.

Supporters will need to collect their tickets as they board coaches or park and ride buses, or from designated collection points near Norwich's ground.

The announcement comes after Ashton, who is also the club's chief executive, told BBC Radio Suffolk last week he had found out about the planned engineering works via social media.

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