By James HoreFANS heading to Colchester United's home game today have been warned to expect a “parking clampdown”. The streets around Layer Road in Colchester have a number of match day parking restrictions on them, but some supporters have been leaving their cars on grass verges near the ground.

By James Hore

FANS heading to Colchester United's home game today have been warned to expect a “parking clampdown”.

The streets around Layer Road in Colchester have a number of match day parking restrictions on them, but some supporters have been leaving their cars on grass verges near the ground.

U's chief executive Marie Partner has met officers from Colchester Borough Council to discuss the problems, which she said highlighted the need for the club to move to a new stadium as soon as possible.

Speaking on the Us' website, she warned fans: “Any roads that have the single yellow lines and match day restriction signage will be policed diligently, along with the grass verges on Layer Road towards Shrub End.

“The grass verges in Boadicea Way are also part of the no parking initiative, however no signs are included for the verges because it is already worded into the Highway Code.”

A U's spokesman said fans should aim to get to the ground as early as possible for home matches to avoid having trouble parking.

A Colchester Borough Council spokeswoman said it would be “business as usual” for today's match against Hartlepool United as far as it was concerned.

“Single and double yellow lines are put in place for road safety reasons and after consultation with the police,” she added.

“As many of the restrictions in the Layer Road area are only in place on match days it is highly likely they will be patrolled when a match is taking place.

“This is part of our ongoing work in the Layer Road area in line with the police and local residents.”

james.hore@eadt.co.uk