Increasing demand at the controversial Elland Road park and ride scheme has led to Leeds City Council drawing up plans to amend the scheme.
The council says more than 45,000 people have so used the service, with over 350 cars parked most weekdays – and that it is drawing up plans to upgrade the overspill area to provide a further 400 spaces to the same high quality specification. The council’s PR machine has today issued a press release saying the scheme has ‘exceeded expectations in less than a year of operation’.
It goes on to say usage is expected to grow even further with a recently introduced scheme which allows city centre businesses to buy annual passes for their staff.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and economy, said:
“We are delighted at the success of the first major bus-based park and ride in the city.
“As passenger numbers continue to grow, profits from the scheme will be shared equally between the council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the bus operator. It’s fantastic that the success of this scheme will enable us to reinvest this income in similar transport schemes elsewhere in the city.”
The Elland Road scheme received considerable local opposition a couple of years ago, with residents concerned about extra traffic in the area.
The original plans A second 1,000 space site at Temple Green on A63 Pontefract Lane near Junction 45 of the M1 is planned to open in spring 2016. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.
Still no thought for local people regarding traffic issues .New Ice rink , new hotel , new 6th form school , huge new Asda and other planning applications pending . This has to stop and we at Save Our Beeston will do everything within the law to fight against a blinkered and shoddy planning committee .
I can’t believe Mr Lewis is being given another opportunity to waste more tax payers money on this scheme.
He should have been sacked after the initial park and ride went more than half a million over budget.
How can a few kerbs, a bit of tarmac, tree bark and half dead shrubs cost nearly £3m?
if elland rd park and ride are so popular how come the bus are empty when leaving through day .i understand people do use them .but maybe cut timings down as i personally have seen buses leaving at all times through day empty .why not put some of them empty buses on cotingley route cos nine times out of ten they never turn up .cottingley residents are well forgotten about