Sniperley Park and Ride expansion work to begin

We are starting work at our Sniperley Park and Ride facility on Monday 15 April, with the extension made possible by a successful application to the government's Transforming Cities Fund.

The project will see capacity at the site, on the outskirts of Durham City, increase to almost 600 spaces.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our 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 capacity

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.

Maintaining services

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.

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.