CHRISTMAS Market visitors will be able to use a new park and ride scheme to ease congestion in Knutsford and cut parking on residential streets.

The initiative by Knutsford Town Council is aimed at improving the experience of residents and visitors to the town during the market.

“The town council Christmas Market has become increasingly popular over the years, with visitor numbers increasing and the geographical spread of those visitors widening,” said town centre manager Sandra Curties.

“While this is good news for Knutsford tourism, restaurants, shops and the market itself, it brings challenges to the town’s limited parking facilities during that weekend.”

Sandra investigated providing a park and ride scheme to reduce town centre congestion and parking on residential areas.

“Introducing a Park and Ride would tackle the issue of car parks being closed for the market and allow on-street parking to be coned off in places to ease traffic flow,” she said.

Cllr Hayley Wells-Bradshaw said at Monday’s Events and Town Centre Management Committee that she ‘completely and utterly’ supported the park and ride scheme.

“We have almost become a victim of our own success with the Christmas events in attracting visitors from such a wide audience,” she said.

“It’s fantastic for Knutsford and good for the town council, but unless we put a significant measure in place - last year was a bit of a tipping point - and we get any more visitors, it’s going to add more problems than it solves.”

Shortly after last year’s market Booths Hall was approached with a view to using its car park for both market days, on December 1 and 2, 2018.

This was agreed with the owner Bruntwood on the basis that the council paid for a security guard, at a cost of £350.

Go Goodwins was felt to offer the most cost-effective price, at £980, of providing a park and ride service between Booths Hall and Bexton Road bus station.

The council is not recommending a set charge for the service, but inviting a £1 donation collected by the Knutsford Hosts, Lions or Scouts, which could be split with the collecting group.

Sandra Curties said the cost of introducing park and ride was £1,330.

“This would reduce the overall surplus made by the Christmas Market, but it is considered it would improve the visitor and residents’ experience during the market,” she said.