Popular Centrica park and ride returns for Windsor Christmas shopping

Royal Borough residents and visitors can enjoy a day's Christmas shopping in Windsor for as little as £2 in parking - and avoid queues or full car parks at peak times - when a park and ride service returns on Saturday 27 November.

Every weekend from then until Christmas shoppers can park at Centrica in Maidenhead Road (A308), Dedworth, and the number M5 bus will take them direct to Peascod Street. Buses will run every 15 minutes from 10am until 6pm.

The Courtney Coaches-operated service, which proved a success when it ran during the summer holidays, will run on the following weekends:

• November 27 and 28
• December 4 and 5, 11 and 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: "We are delighted to be able to offer this service again in the busy run-up to Christmas. Residents, part-time workers and visitors can plump for this cheaper alternative to town centre car parks - and I encourage employers and their hard-working staff to take advantage of this offer.

"It's 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 - and without the risk of clamping at some private car parks.

"Experience from the summer park and ride is that it frees up spaces in town for short-stay shoppers. Many thanks to Centrica and their loyal staff for their support in enabling us to offer this service."

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.

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