The launch of the second park and ride site in Coventry promises to be no minor affair because the new 163 parking spaces scheme is based on the former Morris Engines site which made engines for the world famous Morris Mini Minor.

It seems only fitting therefore that for the launch of the new Park and Ride North facility the first car to use the site will be a 1957 Morris Mini Minor with an engine produced on the former site.

The site will be officially opened on 23 April at 12pm at Austin Drive in Bell Green, where West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and Coventry City Councillors Dave Batten and John McNicholas.

The car park boasts tarmaced surface with clearly marked spaces including 8 orange badge holder spaces, lighting and CCTV. Travel West Midlands will operate the service from the site to Coventry City Centre providing single decker low floor easy access Volvo B6 buses. The buses will be painted in the old Corporation colours of maroon and cream and clearly marked as Park and Ride North buses.

This scheme is being joint funded between Coventry City Council and Centro.

The service will open to the public from Monday 26 April and will operate Monday to Saturday. The first service from the Park and Ride car Park will be at 0745 (0800 Sat) and then every 15 minutes until 1800. From the City Centre the first service will be at 0758 (0813 Sat) and then every 15 minutes until 1813. The journey time will be approximately 13 minutes. There will be no service on Sundays.

Return fares are as follows: adults £1, children (under 16) 50p, Centro Concessionary pass holders * free and Non-pass holding OAPs* 50p (*only during 0930 ad 1530 Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays – at all other times normal adult fares apply). For further information contact Centro Hotline on 01203 559559.

West Midlands PTA and Coventry Chair of the Environment and Transportation Policy Team Councillor John McNicholas said:

"I am delighted that we are opening a second Park and Ride service in Coventry and I am confident it will be as successful as the Memorial Park site. People will benefit from a short journey time and drop off and pick up points in key areas in the city including Queen Victoria Road, Earl Street and Corporation Street.

"In a bid to encourage people to take advantage of such a convenient and comfortable way to travel in to the City Centre, the service will be free of charge for the first week."

NOTES

The first park and ride site is at Coventry Memorial Park (South) and opened in 1988.