In order to encourage people to use the Metro park and ride sites, the North East Joint Transport Committee has approved an upgrade. The upgrades will include enhanced CCTV, better lighting, and cashless parking facilities.

The upgrade, which will cost £3.2 million, is part of the North East’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.

The programme is involved majorly with sustainable public transport and public places in the North East. It aims to transform the economy and environment associated with them.

TCF anticipates that the improvement will encourage more people to use public transport over other forms of travel to help reduce carbon emissions.

The improvements will be installed at Bank foot, Northumberland Park, Four Lane Ends, Regent Centre, Callerton and the Stadium of Light.

The scheme will involve making contactless payment available on coin only ticket machines, and increasing security through better energy efficient lighting and CCTV. There will also be updates available on the Nexus‘ apps and websites for the car park.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair, North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “This investment is a major upgrade to six park and ride sites making them easier to use and more attractive options for local people travelling for work, leisure or to reach education.

“We are committed to helping people make sustainable changes to their journey habits and using Park & Ride for part of your journey is a great way to cut down on mileage, carbon emissions and of course fuel costs.

“Thanks to the Transforming Cities Fund, passengers using Metro Park & Ride can enjoy quicker and easier payment options and will benefit from improved security with CCTV and better lighting.”

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “Park and ride sites on Metro are really important in helping to cut congestion and emissions on our region’s roads. That’s why Nexus wants to invest in better and simpler facilities for our customers.

“Our plans underline a commitment to making Metro park and ride a more attractive and cost effective option as the cost of using a car continues to keep going up.

“The investment will go towards quicker and simplified payment options for our customers. Contactless payment will replace coin-only ticket machines, this is in addition to pay-by-phone which was introduced by Nexus last year.

“The funding will also increase site security by providing new energy-efficient lighting and digital CCTV alongside real-time updates on car park occupancy to Nexus’ apps and to our website.”