New parking fees near Portman Road incite resident anger, leading to haphazard parking during Ipswich Town matches.
The council admitted that 94 fewer people parked there. People who live nearby complained. They said fans now park on their streets. The residents dislike this new parking situation.
Councillor Edward Phillips asked Jane Riley about it. He wanted to know if the council could help. Jane Riley holds a culture and customers portfolio.
Riley answered that officers have limits. They can only act where rules exist. Enforcement must already be in place. It cannot be on every street.
Phillips said fans park all over the place. This started after the price changes. He thinks something should change. Residents deserve better, he stated.
Riley understands the problem, she said. Her department can only handle violations. Parking officers need set rules to act. Without civic enforcement, officers cannot help.
They cannot stop people from parking anywhere. That is simply how it works, she explained. The council said the hike would lower traffic. They claimed other grounds charge similar fees. It’s common within the Premier League.
The newspaper made a Freedom of Information request. It showed over £41,000 was made. This happened in the first four games. It happened under the new pricing.