Days Gone By: Remember when the roads in Ipswich were clear?

There is a never-ending debate about the amount of traffic and the price of parking in Ipswich town centre. Take a look at the streets of Ipswich when it had fewer cars.

Ipswich Star: Shoppers were able to park in the Buttermarket, Ipswich, when this photograph was taken in August 1962. The Ancient House and the ABC Cinema are on the right. Picture from David Kindreds archive Shoppers were able to park in the Buttermarket, Ipswich, when this photograph was taken in August 1962. The Ancient House and the ABC Cinema are on the right. Picture from David Kindreds archive (Image: Dave Kindred)

In today’s Days Gone By, David Kindred features images taken around 50 years ago, when it was possible to park in the street outside businesses in the main shopping areas.

The price of parking close to the town centre in the mid 1960s looks to have been cheap – even allowing for inflation.

Motoring was a different world then. Power steering, heaters, air conditioning and fitted radios were features only found in very expensive cars.

Rust on the bodywork was a feature of most cars, even when they were only a few years old. Many cars in poor condition were taken off the road when the MOT test was introduced in 1960.

A traffic survey in London Road, Ipswich, in July 1963. The junction with Yarmouth Road and Hadleigh Road were then controlled by roundabouts. This is now one of the busiest parts of Ipswich and it would cause chaos to conduct a survey like this today. The businesses in the left background were Wests newsagents, W Gosling and Son motor engineers, Thomas Whites fish and chip shop and a cafe Picture: IAN MCGRATH (Image: Archant)

Do the photographs featured remind you of motoring in the past?

To submit a letter, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or e-mail info@kindred-spirit.co.uk.

Ipswich Star: Parked cars and through traffic in Westgate Street, Ipswich, in January 1965. Shops on the left were John Collier tailors, Stones electrical, the Crown and Anchor Hotel and Footmans department store. Picture: IVAN SMITH Parked cars and through traffic in Westgate Street, Ipswich, in January 1965. Shops on the left were John Collier tailors, Stones electrical, the Crown and Anchor Hotel and Footmans department store. Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Cars parked in Beck Street, Ipswich, in October 1965. This area is now part of the Crown Car Park site. Picture: IVAN SMITH Cars parked in Beck Street, Ipswich, in October 1965. This area is now part of the Crown Car Park site. Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A busy St Matthews Street, Ipswich, in January 1966, as work to complete the new Civic Drive roundabout was in progress. This picture from near Berners Street has Barrack Corner in the background Picture: DAVID KINDRED A busy St Matthews Street, Ipswich, in January 1966, as work to complete the new Civic Drive roundabout was in progress. This picture from near Berners Street has Barrack Corner in the background Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Traffic at the Fore Street, Salthouse Street, Ipswich, traffic lights February 1962. Motor cycle and sidecar combinations were a common sight then. There was no law then to make motor cycle riders wear a crash helmet Picture: David Kindreds archive Traffic at the Fore Street, Salthouse Street, Ipswich, traffic lights February 1962. Motor cycle and sidecar combinations were a common sight then. There was no law then to make motor cycle riders wear a crash helmet Picture: David Kindreds archive (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Star: Peel Street, Ipswich, in November 1965, with cars parked the length of the street which was a few minutes walk to the shopping centre. Houses in this part of town were demolished the following year. Crown House and the Crown car park now stand on this site. The large building in the background was the William Pretty clothing factory Picture: David Kindreds archive Peel Street, Ipswich, in November 1965, with cars parked the length of the street which was a few minutes walk to the shopping centre. Houses in this part of town were demolished the following year. Crown House and the Crown car park now stand on this site. The large building in the background was the William Pretty clothing factory Picture: David Kindreds archive (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A busy Buttermarket in January 1965. The Volkswagen car in the centre was turning into St Stephens Lane, which is now pedestrianised Picture: IVAN SMITH A busy Buttermarket in January 1965. The Volkswagen car in the centre was turning into St Stephens Lane, which is now pedestrianised Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: St Matthews Street was widened in the mid 1960 to create a dual carriageway. This photograph from Hyde Park Corner was taken in January 1966, as the new carriageway took two way traffic while the old roadway was resurfaced Picture: DAVID KINDRED St Matthews Street was widened in the mid 1960 to create a dual carriageway. This photograph from Hyde Park Corner was taken in January 1966, as the new carriageway took two way traffic while the old roadway was resurfaced Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

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