Why is a council charging £15 for match parking?

Ipswich Town Football Club fans were left elated this summer when it was confirmed they would be able to enjoy Premier League football again after 22 years. Some dedicated fans travel for miles to attend home matches at the Portman Road stadium, but some have been left unhappy after parking charges nearby were hiked to a minimum of £15 by the council.

From Tuesday, the home match parking tariff came into force at long stay car parks owned by Ipswich Borough Council near Portman Road stadium.

A minimum £15 charge will apply at the Portman Road car parks as well as Princes Street car park and West End Road car park.

For Tuesday's game against Crystal Palace, the council has said the fee would apply three hours before the 19:30 GMT kick off and would remain in place one hour after kick off.

However on non-match days, drivers can pay £7 to park all day in the vicinity of Portman Road.

Ipswich Borough Council previously announced in early September it projected a £23m shortfall over the next four years and part of its plan included "income generation" through various methods.

Changes to parking around Portman Road were considered at the time before the plans were approved.

Councillor Jane Riley, portfolio holder for culture and customers, said the premium tariffs were common at other Premier League grounds.

"There is significant congestion in the area around the Portman Road stadium when there is a home match being played," she explained.

"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."

Car parks around other Premier League clubs charge similar amounts to Ipswich Borough Council's increased fare.

Parking at Brighton & Hove Albion's American Express Stadium sees fans having to pay £18 per car.

Fans have to pre-book in advance of games while accessible parking is available at a discounted rate of 50%.

Similarly, match days at Leicester City's King Power Stadium will see fans charged £19 per car at the club's Filbert Street car park.

However on the club's website it details that independent car parks nearby can cost £4 or £5.

At Nottingham Forest, while there is no onsite matchday parking available, the club said on its website nearby car parks charge £10.

Helen Gray, 53, drives over an hour from Wickford in Essex to Portman Road for the home matches.

She said the increase in fares was "dreadful" and felt not enough notice had been given to fans.

"I have to park in that car park because my seat in the stands is near that car park and I can't walk that far because I'm recovering from breast cancer," she said.

"It just means I probably won't be able to purchase things in the club shop or refreshments at half."

Mrs Gray added that if the club was demoted for the next season she hoped the price would be decreased.

"If we're not in the Premier League then there's no reason for us to still be paying Premier League premium prices," she added.

"The club have been decent enough not to put up the price of the season ticket too much and then you get walloped with £200 parking."

Jacqueline Taylor, 56, believed it was a "massive jump" in price but she understood the reasons "to some degree".

"I understand that the amount of traffic with all those people leaving one place at the same time causes huge delay," she said.

"Parking close to a premiership ground around the country means a premium charge."

She added that she was disappointed there was no concession for those with blue badges.

Steve Wright said he would now potentially be paying three times more than he normally does on match days when factoring in other costs like food and drink.

He believed the price could be better justified if it was to potentially improve the local area.

"For me and my son now, whether we travel by train or car, will now depend on various factors but as it stands a £9.60 train into town will certainly put me off driving in despite the comforts the car and park option offers," he added.

"I also have concern here for those with disabilities, anxiety issues etc who won’t or are unable to train or use alternative travel and rely on parking and attending in comfort."

Jed Brister, 49, travels from Great Yarmouth to attend the Ipswich Town home games.

He explained he made use of the Portman Road car parks as he and his family usually leave before games end in the mid-week due to work.

"Hopefully the extra income will be spent on surfacing of the car park as it gets worse each week," he added.

"Paying an extra £15 a game is going to make an expensive day at the football for us that much harder to justify."

The club, which has been approached for comment, has not released any official statement on the changes to parking.

Car parks around its stadium are owned and managed by the council and therefore not down to the club.

A spokesperson for the Ipswich Town Supporters Club said it was "disappointed" in the council's parking increase for match days with fans previously and typically paying £5.

"However, with the new changes, the charge for football supporters will rise to £15 per game, representing a significant increase over the course of a season," they said.

"In the coming days, we will be reaching out to Ipswich Borough Council directly, to explore potential solutions and to discuss the impact of these price hikes on our supporters.

"We will keep fans updated on any developments."

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