Football fans angry after car park closed
Richard Daniel/BBCFootball fans have expressed disappointment and anger after a car park was closed on a match day.
Colchester United fans can normally make use of the Colchester Park and Ride car park located on the opposite side of the A12 to the Community Stadium.
For Thursday's game against Gillingham, the car park was due to open from 13:30 to 19:30 GMT, but the football club said it was closed.
Fans criticised Essex County Council for the lack of communication and a spokesperson for the council apologised for the inconvenience.
At about 13:50, Colchester United said in a statement on X it was aware the Park and Ride had not yet opened and it was "in contact with the council to resolve this as soon as possible".
The club posted again at 14:05 and said it had been informed the Park and Ride would not open for the match.
Fans were instead told to make use of the nearby Northern Gateway Sports Park car park or the Hollywood Bowl car park.
Fans said they faced lengthy delays on the A12, with some then missing the start of the game.
A spokesperson for Essex County Council said the Park and Ride was "unexpectedly not able to open as planned on Boxing Day afternoon".
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," they added.
The football club, which has its next home match on Sunday against Doncaster Rovers, has been approached for comment.
Richard Daniel/BBCIn August, fans had to break open padlocks at the site to retrieve their vehicles after the gates were locked before a game ended.
The council apologised for this and blamed it on a "breakdown in communication".
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