A SCHEME designed to ease congestion and free up parking in Dorchester is going from strength to strength.

A five-day-a-week park and ride scheme was launched last month, with the aim of encouraging town centre workers who do not need their cars to park on the edge of town and catch a bus in.

And although the scheme, which is a joint initiative between West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council has only been operating for a little over four weeks officials are pleased with the way it has gone so far.

West Dorset District Council Technical Services manager Steve Woollard said: "The new park and ride service in Dorchester started last month, with buses running from Dorchester Town Football Club car park to a drop off and pick up point near the library at County Hall.

"It's still early days, but with around 50 cars using the service on a regular basis the indications are positive and we expect it to go from strength to strength.

"The service is open to the general public as well as being targeted at council workers. It costs £1 per day, representing excellent value for commuters working in and around Dorchester town centre - with annual permits only £120."

One regular user of town centre car parks said that she had noticed a difference since the park and ride scheme was introduced.

"A month ago if you had arrived at the Top o' Town car park after about 9am you would have been really lucky to find a space. But I arrived at about 10.30am one morning and there were several to choose from so it seems to be working," said the motorist who asked not to be named.

Council chiefs hope to encourage shoppers as well as town centre workers to use the Monday to Friday scheme.

Full details of bus times for the park and ride service are available from www. dorsetforyou.com/parkandride