Few cars using town park and ride

There is plenty of room at Stratford's park and ride

A new park and ride service could do with more publicity to attract people, the operators have admitted.

The BBC found only 10 cars using the Stratford park and ride on Monday morning. The £4m project has room for 500 cars now and that will rise to 725.

Warwickshire County Council said the Bishopton site was used by 3,500 people from 21 November until 1 January.

Transport cabinet member Martin Heatley said there had been a "positive take up" ahead of the official launch.

He said: "Parking in Stratford has been a problem for some time and when you find a parking space the charge can be expensive for a long stay.

"I would encourage everyone visiting Stratford to use the park and ride."

'Early days'

The site on the A46/A3400 junction opened in November to allow Christmas shoppers to park and get a bus into the town, and is due to be expanded again in April.

The official opening is set for June when the customer services building with waiting room, toilets, vending machines and security office and permanent facilities for the disabled will be ready.

Buses operated by Johnsons of Henley run from the site into the town centre every 10 minutes.

Managing director Peter Johnson said: "It's early days, but we are encouraged by the amount of people starting to use the facility and by the many favourable comments we are receiving. We already have some regulars.

"As the site develops we are confident more people will appreciate the opportunity to leave their cars in a safe and secure car park and take the bus right into the centre of town for a modest cost."