Norwich City v Ipswich Town: Travel issue that fans need to know about | OneFootball

Norwich City host Ipswich Town in the Championship on Saturday, 11 April, but there is no train travel between the two locations that weekend.

Norwich City are set to host Ipswich Town in the latest instalment of the East Anglian Derby on 11 April, but away supporters need to carefully consider their travel options.

The Tractor Boys find themselves in the thick of the race to win automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, whereas the Canaries retain slim play-off hopes.

Ipswich will leapfrog Middlesbrough into second place if they match or better the North East club's results between now and the end of the season, as well as winning their game in hand.

Crucially, Kieran McKenna's men lock horns with Kim Hellberg's side on 18 April, which could decide which club books a spot in next term's Premier League alongside Championship leaders Coventry City.

Meanwhile, Norwich can still beat the likes of Wrexham and Southampton to the final play-off spot if they maintain a near-perfect record and other results go their way.

Ipswich Town supporters have four options following big Norwich City travel restriction

The East Anglian Derby, played out between Ipswich and Norwich, is one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures in the Championship calendar.

Their most recent meeting, on 5 October, saw the Tractor Boys run out as 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Cedric Kipre, Jaden Philogene, and Jack Clarke.

Norwich's loss to their bitter rivals that day marked just one of the several poor results they endured under the stewardship of former boss Liam Manning.

However, Manning's successor, Philippe Clement, has transformed the Canaries from relegation candidates to play-off outsiders.

Meanwhile, as reported by the East Anglian Daily Times, there is no train travel between Ipswich and Norwich on the weekend of the derby due to Network Rail works.

The report adds that the Norfolk Constabulary then requested that the clash between the Tractor Boys and the Canaries be designated as a 'bubble' game, which means that all away fans attending the match would have to convene at Portman Road and travel by coach.

However, the Suffolk club pushed back on those restrictions before making a club statement that outlined the travel options available to supporters.

Ipswich's statement said: "Option one: The club will be putting on extra coaches to assist those who would normally take the train to Norwich, while also assisting supporters with the cost of coach travel due to the inconvenience.

"Those using these club coaches will collect their match tickets when boarding at Portman Road, before travelling directly to Norwich. To encourage this travel method, which is seen as being the most convenient, coach travel will be charged at a discounted rate of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

"Option two: Supporters wishing to make their own way to Norwich are being asked to park at the Postwick Park & Ride site, collecting their match ticket there before then taking a coach, organised by the club, towards Carrow Road.

"Parking is limited for those using this option, with travel into Norwich charged at a discounted rate of £4 per adult and £2 for concessions.

"Option three: Those supporters who are travelling to Norwich by train from other areas of the country, not using the line between Norwich and Ipswich, will be able to collect their tickets to the rear of Norwich Station, by the exit leading to Lower Clarence Road.

"Option four: Alternatively, supporters making their own way to Norwich by road will have the option to collect their match tickets from a designated collection point on Lower Clarence Road."

Ipswich Town can't let Norwich City clash dent automatic promotion chances

Ipswich are in a strong position to earn an immediate Premier League return following last term's relegation from the top flight, whereas Norwich boast faint play-off hopes.

However, when the East Anglian rivals lock horns next month, local pride and bragging rights will be at stake just as much as league positioning.

Ipswich also have clashes with fellow automatic promotion contenders Millwall and Middlesbrough on the horizon, and they must not let Norwich scupper their top-two credentials.