A MAJOR new Park and Ride is on the way for the Whitefield Metrolink stop after transport bosses gave the go-ahead for enabling works to start on site as soon as possible.

Friday's meeting of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's Policy Committee released £250,000 for service diversion and clearance works, paving the way for construction of the £1 million facility during spring and summer next year.

Ultimately the Park and Ride will have 133 car parking spaces, including eight for disabled car users, eight motorcycle stands, three cycle stands, five cycle lockers, a bus turning area and two high specification passenger waiting shelters.

Chair of the Policy Committee, Councillor Andrew Fender, said: "Metrolink is an extremely popular system and we know that demand exists for more parking facilities at stops along the Bury - Altrincham line..

"We want to encourage as many people as possible to use public transport in order to help keep road congestion in check across Greater Manchester. Metrolink is a proven system for taking a significant number of car journeys off the road every year, so it makes good sense to improve parking facilities for Metrolink stops wherever we can."

Councillor Mike Connolly, Bury spokesperson for the Authority, added: "This major new car park at the Whitefield stop is great news for Metrolink users and local residents. Demand for parking at this stop is high and this will go someway to accommodating everybody and cutting down on parking problems in the area.

"The Authority is committed to improving facilities at Metrolink stops - including improving opportunities for people to switch between different modes of travel. We hope the new car park will also encourage more people to leave the car at Whitefield and take the tram instead."

Members of the Committee will receive a report on the progress of the enabling works in early 2005, outlining an implementation programme for the construction works.

Plans have also been developed to implement new car parks at Crumpsall, Besses o'th' Barn and Navigation Road Metrolink stops, where construction work is due to start at the end of October, with completion scheduled for spring 2005.