No plans to axe £15 parking fee for Ipswich games

Football fans in Ipswich will have to continue paying a premium to park on matchdays, despite the club being relegated back to the Championship.

Ipswich Borough Council introduced a £15 fee at its long-stay car parks following Town's promotion to the Premier League last year.

The charge applied to motorists using the Portman Road, Princes Street and West End Road car parks in the three hours before kick-off and the one hour after it.

Despite the demotion of the Tractor Boys, the council told the BBC there were "no plans to change" the current rate.

Jane Riley, the council's portfolio holder for culture and customers, said: "We believe the current rates are good value for money for drivers who wish to park right beside the stadium."

Lower charges still apply in the car parks at other times.

Riley previously said that "premium tariffs are common at car parks close to other Premier League grounds", and that some were "charging up to £37 per day".

But fans told the BBC they felt it was unfair for the council to continue charging £15 for parking when the club was no longer in the top flight.

Kevin Cooper, 67, said: "I do feel it is unfair to take advantage of Town fans, because it costs enough to get in to the game anyway.

"I don't see why football fans should be charged more to park than everybody else.

"If they maintain that £15 price in the Championship and people are prepared to pay it, then I guess the temptation would be to put it up again."

Emily Heasman was another who said retaining the price hike was unfair.

"If they want people to support the club then they should make it a reasonable price so people can afford to park," the 32-year-old told the BBC.

"The price of everything is going up these days, and it's almost as if they don't want people to come and enjoy it.

"Fifteen pounds is steep – I could spend that in the shop or to get a drink."

Paul Oakshott, 59, said: "Even in the Premier League it was disgusting, but now we've come back to the Championship you would think they would let it go.

"I think it's just totally wrong, and it doesn't make sense. If we go up again, are they going to increase it even more?"

Sue Russell, 45, told the BBC she would never consider using those car parks because of the price.

"Fifteen pounds is a lot of money, and it's a lot of money to support your team," she said.

"We live an hour's walk away, but we'd rather walk than pay £15."

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