A PLAN to build a second park-and-ride facility at Sixways has been given a boost after Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands (AWM) agreed to provide a vital £2.5 million grant.

The transport scheme is part of an ambitious expansion of the Worcester Warriors rugby club's home ground which includes a new North stand and training pitches and an Esporta Gym and Racquet Club.

As part of the £25m rugby ground expansion proposals, the ground's new car park, due to have more than 1,200 spaces, will be used exclusively by the rugby club during home games while, at other times, some of it will form the park-and-ride.

Securing funding from AWM was critical, for Worcestershire County Council, because the money will be used to make necessary changes to the road infrastructure to allow the idea to go ahead.

The funding will pay for a three-lane road into Sixways, a new roundabout, improvements to Pershore Lane and an underpass to the club's amateur pitches.

According to AWM, the park-and-ride plan will have a positive impact on the city and could reduce the number of car journeys to the city centre by up to 53,000.

Chairman Nick Paul said: "Not only will the new park and ride facility reduce congestion in the city centre, it will reduce carbon emissions and improve road safety.

"The city should also receive an economic boost of at least £3 million a year due to the number of passengers the new park and ride should attract."

However, despite his comments, it is not yet known how the park-and-ride will operate.

As previously reported in the Worcester News, council bosses have admitted the facility could be used to provide a shuttle bus service, but the number of buses and their frequency was still under discussion.

County council cabinet member for the environment Derek Prodger said: "This is excellent news as improving transport services is a county council priority."

News of the grant was also welcomed by Warriors' general manager Charlie Little who said it would enable the club to move ahead with its own plans.

He added: "This is another exciting step forward in the development of Sixways and we are delighted that AWM have shown their support for Worcestershire County Council and the Park and Ride infrastructure works."

"Work at Sixways this summer can now really move forward at pace."