MORE than 1,000 people a day have used Essex's first park and ride service during its first three weeks of operation. The service opened to the public on March 31 in a bid to reduce congestion in Chelmsford town centre and its approach roads.

MORE than 1,000 people a day have used Essex's first park and ride service during its first three weeks of operation.

The service opened to the public on March 31 in a bid to reduce congestion in Chelmsford town centre and its approach roads.

Essex County Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, Rodney Bass, welcomed the news that the new park and ride facility was already popular.

He said: "One of the main goals of the park and ride is to ease congestion and to encourage people to look at alternative transport.

“I believe it is fulfilling this role with more than 500 cars a day being parked at the park and ride site in Sandon.

"If the site at Sandon continues to operate at capacity then we will accelerate plans to extend the car parking from 600 to 900 spaces. I am delighted the Chelmsford park and ride has got off to a flying start and the figures so far are extremely promising and show that there may be demand for extra sites in Chelmsford in the future.”

Buses stop at key points within the town centre and the site has excellent access to the A12 and A414, located just outside Sandon on the A12 (junction 18) at the A414/A1060 Maldon Road interchange.

The service operates between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday at 10-minute intervals and cars using the site will take traffic away from the congested A1114 Baddow bypass, the Army and Navy roundabout and Parkway.

A new bus lane has been introduced which is integral to the overall success of the scheme to help reduce problems experienced along this key arterial route into town.

The Chelmsford park and ride scheme has been developed by the county council in partnership with Chelmsford Borough Council.

For more information call 0845 6000 110 or log on to www.essexcc.gov.uk/parkandride