Consultation to start on park-ride at rail station

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, which bought the former Abbeydale Garden Centre with the intention of creating space for 100 commuter vehicles, is planning an event later this year to allow the public to express their views on the scheme.

SYPTE acquired the site earlier this year and it is now fenced off, for health and safety reasons, to allow for demolition work and site investigations prior to any reconstruction.

Plans for a new car park would have to be approved by Sheffield Council, but if constructed would be expected to help ease parking and traffic problems in the streets around the station.

David Young, SYPTE's director of customer experience, said: "The proposed facility is central to our long-held aim to help resolve some of the ongoing issues and disruptions faced by home owners and businesses in the area.

"We have received really positive feedback to our plans – especially from residents who have been persistently disturbed by cars parking on their roads.

"We have also had positive comments from local businesses, who historically have been significantly inconvenienced by commuters using their customer car parks, and passengers who welcome the much-needed extra parking provision.

"It is our intention to progress this project as soon as planning permission is granted and funding allows."

The planning application for the new development is due to be submitted early next year and, subject to approval from Sheffield City Council and allocation of funds, construction could start as early as the summer.