Police plans in place for East Anglian Derby
The game kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday 16 December at Portman Road.
Members of the public are reminded to plan their travel in Ipswich ahead of this weekend’s derby match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City.
The game kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday 16 December at Portman Road. The fixture is sold out, with a capacity crowd of just under 30,000 people due to attend.
Turnstiles and stadium bars will be open from 11am. Bag searches will be taking place for the safety of all spectators at this match and fans should plan to arrive at the stadium earlier than normal to ease congestion whilst entering the stadium.
As usual with other fixtures, access to Portman Road and Sir Alf Ramsey Way will be restricted before, during and after the match. Availability of spaces at the Portman Road Car Park will also be greatly reduced.
The area of Princes Street between the junctions of Grafton Way/Chancery Road and Portman Road will not be accessible to home supporters on foot, providing access for away fans to the visitors’ section of the stadium only.
Home fans who are used to walking from the direction of the railway station straight down Princes Street to Portman Road, will be directed (at the Grafton Way/Chancery Road junction) to turn either left towards Russell Road and Constantine Road; or right via New Cardinal Street and Chalon Street, then back across the Portman Road car park.
These routes will operate in reverse for supporters leaving the stadium after the match. At all times there will be police officers on hand to assist people with directions.
There will be road closures in the vicinity of Portman Road as follows:
From 10.30am:
- Princes Street - between the junctions with Civic Drive/Franciscan Way and Grafton Way/Chancery Road.
- Chalon Street at the junction with Princes Street
From 11.30am:
- West End Road, from the junction of the car park to Princes Street/Chancery Road.
- Commercial Road, at the junction with the Commercial Road Retail Park, to Princes Street.
- Burrell Road at the junction with Station Yard; and Ranelagh Road to the junction with Ancaster Road (from Princes Street).
- Chancery Road at the junction with Russell Road.
These closures will be lifted once the game kicks off, then be reinstated before the final whistle, remaining in place after the game until the majority of crowds have dispersed.
There will be some disruption to public transport as a result of these closures. Buses will be operating on diversionary routes whilst Princes Street is closed. Members of the public are advised to check by telephone or online with operators for service details and alternative bus stops.
The railway station will be busier than usual, with a large number of away fans travelling by train, in addition to the home fans who regularly attend games this way. Greater Anglia are providing additional trains for away fans, with a pre-match special service leaving Norwich at 9.48am; and a return train leaving Ipswich at 3pm. Both trains will stop at Diss only.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Cutler, the policing commander for the match, said: "This is one of the biggest games of the season and our policing operation will also be significantly larger than most other matches. Police will be visible and will be there to ensure that fans from both clubs have a safe and enjoyable afternoon.
“We very much hope that there will be no trouble between the two sets of supporters, but we will deal with this quickly and effectively if any does occur.
“As part of this we will use all appropriate powers to ensure the vast majority don’t have their day ruined by a very small number. We may use dispersal powers if required that will allow us to deal with individuals who are engaging in, or who we believe are likely to engage in, anti-social behaviour.
“It is some time since the two clubs met and it should be a great match. We want supporters to enjoy the day but it’s also a Christmas shopping day in town so it will be extra busy and ask that no matter why people are in Ipswich that there is that extra patience and respect for each other.
"If you are planning to travel into Ipswich town centre on Saturday, please take note of the road closures and expect some congestion - there is ample parking all around the town for those wanting to go shopping and avoid the football crowds.
"There will be officers on patrol all across the town centre and members of the public are encouraged to approach police if they have any questions on the day.”
Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies have worked closely with both clubs in the planning of this fixture and will be assisted in the policing operation by colleagues from across the eastern region, British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch.