Figures boost for park and ride

Only a handful of cars were seen at the site in 2006

Three times as many people used a park and ride service in Warwickshire over the Christmas period, figures show.

The £4m service on the A46/A3400 junction in Stratford opened in November 2005 but was criticised for being under-used.

In February last year, the BBC found only 10 cars using the facility which at the time had room for 500 vehicles.

Up to 9,000 cars parked there in December, compared to 3,500 between 21 November 2005 and 1 January 2006.

Warwickshire County Council said they are delighted with the increase and expected a slow start to ease traffic congestion in the historic town.

Last year the operators admitted the service could do with more publicity to attract people.

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