Park and Ride Summer Special for Windsor

Royal Borough residents and visitors can enjoy a day in Windsor for as little as £2 in parking – and avoid any town centre parking problems when a park and ride service starts on Saturday 24 July.

Every weekend throughout the summer holidays, and in the run-up to Christmas, shoppers can park at Centrica in Maidenhead Road and the number M5 bus will take them direct to Peascod Street. Buses will run every 15 minutes from 10am until 6pm.

This initiative is the latest step forward in the borough's commitment to providing more parking for Windsor and follows a full consultation with local residents, businesses and visitors.

The Windsor parking strategy includes a wide range of measures including a permanent seven-day-a-week park and ride and positive negotiations are taking place with Windsor Racecourse.

In the meantime, the Centrica service – which follows the success of similar park and ride schemes before Christmas and over the spring bank holiday weekend, and which is operated by Courtney Coaches – will run on the following days:

•    July 24, 25 and 31
•    August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30
•    November 27 and 28
•    December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19

Charges will be via pay and display in the Centrica car park. A stay of up to four hours will be £2.50 (£1 with an Advantage Card). For stays longer than four hours the fee is £4 (£2 with an Advantage Card).

The barrier to allow vehicles in will be raised at 10am and go down at 7pm, by which time all cars must be removed.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways and streetcare, said: "There’s no getting away from the fact that Windsor is a popular destination and as the tourist season hots up I am delighted that we can offer residents, part-time workers and visitors a cheaper alternative to town centre car parks – and without the queueing.

“By using this car park we are using existing Windsor assets – that must be good for the planet. It is an especially good deal for borough residents who can spend a whole day in town for only £2 in parking if they use their Advantage Card.

“Many thanks to Centrica and their loyal staff for their support in enabling us to offer this service. Let’s hope other Windsor business car park owners are as generous and will let residents use them at weekends.”

The car park is patrolled by the council's parking team while in use as a park and ride. Community wardens will also carry out courtesy visits.