TV presenter's farm defends traffic complaints

Jimmy's Farm said it deliberately timed the event so as not to coincide with an Ipswich Town FC match

A farm and wildlife park run by TV presenter Jimmy Doherty has defended the traffic management at its Christmas fair following complaints.

The event held at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park near Ipswich is a five-minute drive from the A14 dual carriageway.

The event on Saturday and Sunday hosted stalls with live music, food and free parking, but motorists reported that traffic towards the entrance was gridlocked on and around the A137 junction at Wherstead.

"We understand the frustration in trying to get to the event," said a spokesperson for the attraction.

"We will take into consideration all and every aspect of the traffic and local network using our knowledge from this year."

The spokesperson said the event was arranged so as not to coincide with an Ipswich Town football match.

They also said the weekend "proved very popular" and that roadworks and an accident that happened nearby on Sunday may have "compounded" the traffic issues.

"The event is strategically and meticulously planned with traffic marshals and stewards deployed throughout the site and a one-way system is in place. Year on year, this system has been successful," they continued.

Jimmy Doherty set up the farm in 2002 to help preserve the Essex pig breed

Nicki Jane, from Ipswich, said she gave up queuing for an hour on Saturday and made it to the event on Sunday instead.

"It was a bit of a shambles," she explained.

"I think on Saturday it was worse due to a broken down vehicle on the first roundabout, which is why we left the queue and headed elsewhere after over and hour and a half of barely moving."

She said the traffic was less congested on the Sunday and that despite the "madness" it was still a "brilliant, well organised" event.

Jimmy's Farm was set up in 2002 to try to preserve the Essex pig breed, but has since expanded to feature more than 100 species and breeds including polar bears, capybara and crocodiles.