Work is set to begin on the £2 million expansion of the Sniperley Park and Ride transport hub.
The work, at Durham County Council’s Sniperley Park and Ride facility was originally scheduled for last summer, but begins today (15 April). The extension has been made possible by a successful application to the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
Increased capacity
The project will see capacity at the site, on the outskirts of Durham City, increase to almost 600 spaces.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, the council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are delighted to be ready to begin work to grow Sniperley Park and Ride.
“This site and our other park and ride facilities around Durham are crucial as they help tens of thousands of people each year get in and out of the city, whether that be to access work, shops, leisure or health services.
“As well as supporting economic growth, they also benefit the environment by increasing use of sustainable transport, reducing car journeys and cutting emissions in the process.
“It is vital that as our city grows, its infrastructure – including park and ride provision – grows with it and we look forward to the expanded Sniperley facility helping people with their everyday journeys for years to come.”
Increased provision
The Sniperley Park and Ride site is located between the A691 and A167 and currently has 326 spaces.
Planning permission is in place for the expansion which, on completion, will see an additional 262 spaces created. This will include increased provision of standard, disabled, electric charging and motorhome bays.
Vegetation clearance and sewer works have already been carried out and the site is ready for construction to begin.
The work is expected to last approximately six months, with a park and ride service continuing to be available throughout.
As the construction work will be off road, it is expected to have minimal impact on journeys through the area.
Sunday operation
As of this month, Sniperley and Belmont Park and Ride sites will be in operation on Sundays. Buses will serve the sites between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. This will include bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
For more details of Sniperley and the council’s other park and ride sites, visit https://www.durham.gov.uk/parkandride
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
