Warwickshire News Mine

In the run up to Christmas Warwickshire County Council’s Park and Ride will operate on the five Thursdays, starting on 22nd November 2007. The service will be completely free to use from 4pm on these days. (22nd Nov, 29th Nov, 6th Dec, 13th Dec and 20th Dec).  The last bus will depart from Bridge Street at 9.10pm.

This initiative has been sponsored by the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Management Partnership working with the Stratford Christmas Festival Committee and enables commuters and shoppers to take advantage of free travel on the Park and Ride service, based off the A46 at Bishopton.

Commuters can use the Park and Ride before 9am for a completely free return journey.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Getting people onto the Stratford Park and Ride and out of the town centre will help to tackle congestion and reduce the environmental impact of our cars. Cars are at their most polluting when sitting in traffic, and the Stratford Park and Ride gives a very realistic alternative.”

John Deegan, Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for the Environment and Economy Directorate, said: “Stratford Park and Ride is a part of an overall strategic plan for Warwickshire’s transport issues, contained within the Local Transport Plan. We always knew it was not something that was going to be a success overnight. People are very used to getting in their cars and driving to the door, we have got to change that attitude and it takes time. The Park and Ride in Stratford is a key to ensuring the future viability of the town.”

Andrew Cooper, Town Manager for Stratford-upon-Avon commented, “It is vital that the Park and Ride remains open the Christmas late nights so commuters and shoppers can relax knowing that they can get back to their cars and they won’t find the service closed.  The Christmas Festival Committee is sponsoring the additional hours of operation and users will not have to pay before 9am and after 4pm.  This is great news as we endeavour to encourage visitors from the region to enjoy our late night festivities.”

Stratford Park and Ride forms a key element of Warwickshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan which, over the next five years, seeks to improve people’s access to services and facilities while managing the impact on society, the environment, our economy and resources.

The county council’s Local Transport Plan specifically links Park and Ride with its Decriminalisation of Parking scheme in Stratford. This is because similar schemes operating in Cambridge, York, Nottingham, Chester, Oxford and Coventry have delivered a shift from vehicle congested urban centres to sustainable public transport. In achieving this they have also created a better, safer, cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy.

Link to WCC