Shoppers' car park remains closed

A car park with more than 1,000 spaces serving a Suffolk town's shopping area is to remain shut after an inspection.

Crown car park in Ipswich was closed suddenly earlier this month for an investigation by structural engineers.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council, which owns the car park, said: "We've considered the engineers' report and have sent it to our insurers.

"We expect to make an announcement on the car park by next week." Problems concern ramps on the top two tiers.

In the meantime motorists are being urged to find alternatives such as park and ride or local bus services.

"We are speaking to other car park providers about provision," the spokesman said.

"We point out that there are many hundreds of spaces both in Portman Road and on temporary car parks between the town centre and the Waterfront."

Tanya de Hoete, portfolio holder for transport and highways, said the car park was "coming to the end of its life" and that the matter is due to be discussed by the executive committee on Tuesday.

Minimal disruption

Fears that closure of the Crown car park over the Christmas period will hit traders have been played down by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Rayner said: "The car park is a landmark in Ipswich and many people coming in to the town will want to go there because that is always where they leave their cars.

"But there is plenty of choice at council and privately owned car parks and Christmas shoppers will always find somewhere else, so I believe disruption will be minimal.

"There is a feeling that trading conditions are getting better and confidence is returning.

"Hopefully that will translate in to a good Christmas for retailers. The people are likely to come to shop in Ipswich but the issue is how much they will spend."