Dozens more spaces set to open at thriving Elland Road park-and-ride in Leeds

First's Paul Atkinson at the overflow site with Coun Keith Wakefield and Coun Richard Lewis.

The main 425-space car park at the site is frequently full to capacity and as a result some drivers have been using a muddy patch of gravel land as a makeshift overflow area.

Work on a 375-space expansion for the scheme is not due to be finished until the autumn so, as an interim measure, another properly surfaced section has been created.

Opening tomorrow, it comprises 100 marked-out spaces as well as floodlighting, CCTV coverage and a pedestrian access point.

Funding for the overflow area has come from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Leeds City Council.

Coun Richard Lewis, the council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “It was important that we provided an overflow parking area as an interim measure until the expansion opens in autumn.”

WYCA transport committee chair Coun Keith Wakefield said: “I have been pleased to see the ongoing growth in numbers of people using the park-and-ride because 500 or more cars being parked at Elland Road Monday to Friday rather than being driven into the city centre is helping to reduce traffic in Leeds.”