Still hope for park and ride

IPSWICH: The threatened Bury Road park and ride site could get a short reprieve after the decision to close it was referred to the county’s scrutiny committee.

The service was due to close soon after Christmas, but now the decision will be re-examined by a scrutiny panel at the end of the month.

That could send the decision back to the council’s cabinet – although Liberal Democrat opposition leader Kathy Pollard feared the best that could happen was that the service gained a stay of execution.

She said: “I cannot see why the Bury Road service is under threat. I have figures showing that the number of people using it is increasing and if any service was to be discontinued it should be the Martlesham one. It is well-liked and valued by many people.

“I just cannot understand this decision. However I fear that the administration and Guy McGregor (councillor with responsibility for transport) is set on closing the service which is very sad.”

Mr McGregor accepted that the call-in could delay the closure, but said the costs associated with running Ipswich park and ride meant that cuts had to be made.

He said: “There could be a delay, I don’t know, but I cannot see anything changing the decision we have made. I’m afraid it is likely that we will be withdrawing from Bury Road early next year.”

n Should the Bury Road park and ride be closed? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk