Ipswich Town fans, who normally catch direct trains to the Norwich derby games, need to choose other ways to travel
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.”
Harvey Bell/BBC A man with grey hair, wearing a black top and black headphones, sits in front of a purple radio mic with BBC written on it.
Ipswich Town chairman and chief executive Mark Ashton has criticised the timing of the engineering works
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.”
Greater Anglia A white, red and grey Greater Anglia train with its doors closed at a railway station.Greater Anglia
Trains between Ipswich and Norwich are being replaced by buses on 11 and 12 April while engineers carry out essential works
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.
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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