Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, will be opening an extended 70-space free car park at Hebburn Metro station in South Tyneside this Friday, March 26.
The Metro station car park was built by housing developer Taylor Wimpey North East as part of the planning permission for the 220-home Hedgeley Court residential development on the adjacent site. The council’s Planning Department negotiated and secured a legal agreement with the developer to provide the new car park as part of the overall regeneration of Hebburn town centre.
The new car park has been increased from 20 to 70 parking bays and has been given a more user friendly layout. It includes four disabled parking spaces and a drop off point. The access and the lighting have also been improved.
Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “The new Metro car park at Hebburn is free to use and offers a vast improvement in facilities for Metro passengers. It is an excellent facility with space for nearly three times as many cars.
“Park and ride sites are a great way to encourage drivers to leave their cars and use public transport such as Metro to get into our town and city centres. This helps to ease congestion on the roads, saves money and offers a more sustainable mode of travel.”
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor John Anglin said: “I’m delighted to join Nexus in opening this fabulous new Metro car park. There are huge benefits to be had from using park and ride facilities. They offer drivers a low cost way to travel and a hassle free journey into busy areas. We hope that people will use it and make it a huge success.”