Shoppers searching for festive gifts in Chichester will find Christmas has come early to the city thanks to the free park and ride scheme operating again this year.
Chichester District Council says the aim is to provide quick and easy transport for residents and visitors in the city centre to make yuletide shopping a breeze.
The service starts on 23 November to coincide with the city’s lights switch-on event and is supported by Chichester College. It should mean that shoppers can spend more time looking for presents rather than parking spaces in the run-up to Christmas.
The route starts from Chichester College car park and then continues into the city centre with convenient pick up and drop off points in the following locations: Eastgate (opposite the Cattle Market car park); Northgate (the lay-by in Oaklands); and Chichester Cathedral.
On 23 November the service will run every 15 minutes from 4.30pm until 8.30pm for the lights switch on event.
Following this, the dates and times are as follows:
Thursday 23 November 4.30pm until 8.30pm (light switch-on)
Saturday 2 December 8am until 6pm
Sunday 3 December 9.30am until 5.30pm
Saturday 9 December 8am until 6pm
Sunday 10 December 9.30am until 5.30pm
Saturday 16 December 8am until 6pm
Sunday 17 December 9.30am until 5.30pm
Wednesday 20 December 8.30am until 6pm
Thursday 21 December 8.30am until 6pm
Friday 22 December 8.30am until 6pm
Saturday 23 December 8am until 6pm
Sunday 24 December 9.30am until 5.30pm
Councillor Tony Dignum, council leader, says he is delighted that the free service is returning, He added: “It has proved to be very popular in the past and we hope that this year will be no different.
“If you’ve used the service before you will know the benefits of parking at the Park and Ride facility at Chichester College and then continuing the rest of your journey into the city centre by public transport.
“Chichester is a popular shopping destination at Christmas so the service provides residents and visitors with a more convenient and less stressful alternative to using their car. With a dedicated bus every 15 minutes, shoppers and families can benefit from a quick and reliable journey avoiding congestion. An increase in visitors to the city centre also provides a welcome boost for traders in the run-up to Christmas.”
