Free Park and Ride services after 12pm on all Saturdays in December

Free use of Park and Ride services in Colchester and Chelmsford in run up to Christmas starts tomorrow

Shoppers heading to Colchester and Chelmsford city centres after 12pm (Noon) on all Saturdays in December can use Essex County Council Park and Ride services in both cities completely free.

Essex County Council is offering people the chance to park cars at the Park and Ride centres in Sandon and Chelmer Valley in Chelmsford, and across the A12 from the Jobserve Community Stadium in Colchester, before taking the bus into the city centre. All completely free.

The offer includes Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December, allowing some last minute shopping and Saturday 31st December, allowing people to visit Colchester and Chelmsford for free on New Year’s Eve.

Cllr Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “This is a wonderful time of year, we wanted to do something to help people and give a boost to our valued shops and traders in our city centres.

“It’s a win-win situation, as using Park and Ride services also cuts down the number of cars in our city centres, which cuts traffic queues and emissions and improves the environment.

“We hope this makes your festive shopping a pleasurable and exciting experience.”

Park and Ride users can also pick up a free Christmas bag at all the Park and Ride sites while stocks allow.

For more information on this special festive offer, please see our earlier update.