ONE million park and ride journeys have been made this year in Gloucestershire.

The county council has reported a passenger increase in Cheltenham of 15 per cent in the last 12 months.

The figures, collected between April 2009 and March 2010, show park and ride usage in Cheltenham and Gloucester has reached 1,084,253 journeys – with Cheltenham's Arle Court service at 529,207 journeys.

Councillor Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "It really shows that park and ride does provide a viable option to driving into our town centres."

The county council has negotiated a fresh contract with current park and ride provider Bennetts Coaches to operate these services in the future.

This means Cheltenham's Arle Court park and ride has become a commercial service which no longer needs to be subsidised by the council – saving £46,000 a year.

Passengers have been invited to give their feedback on the service at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/parkandride.