Following the successful launch earlier this month of free car parking in the town, Ipswich Central, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council’s suffolkonboard.com, has announced that Park & Ride will be free this Sunday 20th May and every third Sunday in the month, from all three sites – Martlesham, Copdock and Asda.

Paul Clement, Executive Director of Ipswich Central, the new town centre Business Improvement District Company, said that the service will be completely free all day. “We are very pleased that Suffolk Passenger Transport is supporting the whole BID and bringing this unique benefit to the project. It is time for people from a wide catchment area to visit Ipswich town centre on a Sunday, knowing that it won’t cost them a penny to park or get into the town. We can also announce that there will be a continental market on the Cornhill on Sunday between 10am and 4pm and on Monday 21st May between 9am and 5.30pm.”

Over the next 5 years, Ipswich Central will have a significant role in raising standards throughout the town centre area. New initiatives will include improved cleaning, better customer safety, crime reduction, additional planting and a new marketing campaign, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council’s suffolkonboard.com

Ipswich Central has launched a team of prominently dressed Street Rangers to help with customer service and crime reduction. It has also pledged to tackle one area a week in need of a thorough clean and, so far, ugly graffiti off Tavern Street has been removed, Lloyds Avenue has been deep-cleaned and the seating area in St Lawrence Lane has been smartened up. Also deterring pigeons from creating mess is currently being planned.