TWO new Park&Ride sites in York should open next spring after a project aimed at tackling congestion and boosting the economy secured £15.3 million in Government funding.

The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed yesterday it would provide about 70 per cent of the money for the first phase of the Access York scheme.

Preparation work has already started on the sites, and they should be complete in time for York to host part of Le Grand Départ, the opening stages of the 2014 Tour de France.

The £22.7 million City of York Council-led project will see the existing Askham Bar Park&Ride replaced by a larger site with space for 1,100 vehicles and a new Poppleton site created with initial capacity for 600 vehicles.

A major upgrade to the outer ring road’s A59 junction will also be carried out and new bus priority routes introduced.

The Park&Ride sites will provide ten-minute bus journeys to and from the city centre.

Pre-construction work has been completed and the main building work will begin in April.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “Access York is critical for the future economic prosperity and environmental wellbeing of the city, so this is a pivotal moment.

“It’s staggering to think we first started consulting with residents on proposals to develop a new Park&Ride on the A59 in 2002, so it’s fantastic that, ten years on, this is now a reality.”

Coun Merrett said Access York was one of the largest single investments in York’s transport network since the outer ring road was built.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This scheme will help York’s economy continue to grow by ensuring movement around the city is as efficient and sustainable as possible.”

Access York was given accelerated approval for Government funding in 2011, but final confirmation was still required.

A previous bid for £25 million for three new Park&Ride sites, including one at Clifton Moor, failed to secure Government backing in 2010.