Decision made on Beverley park-and-ride plans as ‘times have moved…

Plans for a park-and-ride in Beverley have been scrapped after councillors were told there are already enough spaces in the town. East Riding Council's Cabinet voted to ditch the plans for the proposed 500-space park-and-ride today (Tuesday, March 19) after a report warned it would run at a loss. Finance Portfolio Holder Cllr Nigel Wilkinson said times had moved on since it was proposed around 20 years ago but added an alternative use for the planned site should be found. However, a report to the Cabinet stated all Beverley ward councillors still supported the park-and-ride and would not back plans to scrap it. The Cabinet was asked to decide whether it felt the facility, proposed off Minster Way as part of an agreement with a housing developer, was still considered value for money. READ MORE: Report warns Beverley park-and-ride will run at a loss as long-running saga continue New train line and seaside ferries at top of transport wish-list for Hull Live readers Under the agreement, the developer of a nearby housing estate would foot the bill for building the park-and-ride which was estimated at £2.5m in 2021. It would then pass it on to the council for it to run, including meeting the operating costs and paying for three buses estimated to cost at least £180,000 each. The report stated that the facility would cost between an estimated £350,000 and £450,000 each year to run. It added that given changes in demand with the rise in home working and cheaper alternatives closer to the town centre, it would have to be subsidised. Cllr Nigel Wilkinson said Beverley residents deserved something for putting up with large amounts of development in the town (file photo) (Image: PA) Councillors heard informal talks with private bus operators had taken place but there was no appetite from them to run it commercially. They also heard that a three-week survey in July 2023 showed there was an average of 545 spaces free in Beverley every day, with the lowest number being 140. The Cabinet heard that for the park-and-ride to be competitive its proposed £6-a-day charge would either have to be cut or town centre prices would have
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