CONSTRUCTION students from York College got a look behind the scenes at work on the new Askham Bar Park&Ride.

Students studying design, quantity surveying and civil engineering were given a tour of the site opposite the college in Sim Balk Lane, providing them with hands-on experience as to how the multimillion pound construction site is managed by contractor Balfour Beatty.

The visit was attended by first and second-year extended diploma construction and built environment students, several of whom plan to progress to university.

Coun Dave Merrett, City of York Council cabinet member for transport, said: “It’s vitally important that through large schemes like this we can use this opportunity to provide future generations of engineers and construction workers valuable insight and hands-on experience into working in this industry.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity and who knows, perhaps one day they could be planning the next Park&Ride site in York.”

Askham Bar is one of two new Park&Ride sites being built in the city, the other being Poppleton Bar, providing about 1,700 new parking spaces in total when complete.