AN application to turn part of Worcester Warriors' Sixways ground into a second park-and-ride in the city has been submitted to Wychavon District Council.

The detailed plans outline how a section of a car park, due to be built as part of the rugby club's £25 million expansion, could now be transformed into the service.

However, despite the step forward, uncertainty still surrounds the exact form the park-and-ride service will take in the future.

According to the planning application, the new terminal will include up to 650 car parking spaces and would be operational on non-match days. The plans also feature a heated and lit passenger waiting facility with toilet facilities, a cafe and CCTV.

Two options have been put forward for the bus service.

One would see six buses per hour operating between Sixways and the CrownGate Bus Station, via A440 Newtown Road, Worcester Shrub Hill Station, Lowesmoor and St Nicholas Street.

The service would run from Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm and until 11pm in December to coincide with late night shopping and the Christmas Fayre.

Another limited stop service is also proposed, calling only at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester Shrub Hill Station and St Nicholas Street.

Last month the Worcester News reported that the project would be spread over two years and completed in two phases.

However, now council bosses have admitted the final park-and-ride decisions are not yet confirmed.

Worcestershire County Council's head of integrated transport Andy Baker said the park-and-ride could be used to its full potential, but the level of service to be provided was still being discussed.

He said: "We are still debating what level of service we will have at the moment."

One idea under discussion is for the council to buy its own fleet of buses and run the service itself instead of using a commercial operator.

Mr Baker said the plan would expand the council's in-house fleet which is currently made up of minibuses used for school and social care work but that using a commercial operator had not been ruled out. He said: "Other authorities have branched out to do more school and public transport work and we are investigating that option ourselves."

The council is also still waiting to hear whether it has secured vital £2.5 million funding from Advantage West Midlands.

Despite submitting plans to Wychavon District Council, it will be Worcestershire county councillors who decide whether or not to grant permission.

Wychavon's councillors will only be able to comment on the plans at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 31.