DARLINGTON’S new park and ride service was defended by council leader Bill Dixon amid a debate on the merits of the scheme.

At a full meeting of Darlington Borough Council on Thursday (December 4), Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Macnab raised questions about the success of the recently launched park and ride service.

The service was launched in October in a bid to meet predicted demand for car parking spaces in the run-up to Christmas.

Addressing the full council, Cllr Macnab asked: “How is the park and ride service going? Is it a success? How many passengers have been carried?”

Cllr Dixon said the service was still ongoing and said: “I’m not sure of the figures yet, but it was always going to be used as a back-up.

“There are 400 car parking spaces there and it seemed silly not to use them if there is need – they’re there in case they’re needed.

“I’d rather be stood up here saying maybe the service is not packed rather than be asked why the spaces are not being used.

“At least we are prepared for whatever may happen.”

The park and ride scheme was launched by Darlington Borough Council, working in conjunction with Darlington College and bus company Arriva.

The college opened up its pay and display car park to the public so that drivers coming into town to do their Christmas shopping can park for £1 per day and, from there, take advantage of a free bus into Darlington.

It runs every Saturday between the college on Haughton Road and a number of stops throughout the town centre.

Drivers wanting to use the scheme are asked to hand their parking ticket to the bus driver in exchange for return tickets to the town centre for them and up to four passengers.

The buses run every five minutes from the college on the outskirts of town to stops on Northgate, Prebend Row and Tubwell Row.

Previously, Cllr Dixon said he hoped the scheme would support town centre trade by encouraging more shoppers to come into the town in the run-up to Christmas.

There was a mixed reaction from the public following the launch of the scheme.

Comments made on The Northern Echo website have ranged from those who wanted the scheme expanding to run every day and others who said traffic congestion and on-going building work would adversely affect the success of the park and ride.