New Mereoak park and ride site opens near Reading

Buses will run five times an hour from Monday to Saturday

A new park and ride site providing 573 parking spaces has opened to the south of Reading.

Mereoak Park and Ride is near Junction 11 of the M4 and will offer a regular Greenwave bus service to and from the town centre.

Its buses use compressed natural gas and will run five times an hour, Monday to Saturday, from Mereoak Lane, Grazeley.

Reading transport boss Tony Page said it should ease traffic pressure.

He said: "It will provide thousands of commuters and visitors to the town with a sustainable and effective alternative to long-stay town centre parking."

There are also improved pedestrian and cycle paths at the site, as well as bicycle and motorbike parking.

The discovery of archaeological finds at the start of construction and the need to remove contaminated soil delayed the site's opening by five months.

It was funded by a joint bid to the Department for Transport by Reading and Wokingham borough councils.

Some journeys travel directly to the town centre while others stop at Reading International Business Park, the Madejski Stadium or Kennet Island.

There is a 50p per day parking charge on top of the bus fare.

A second new park and ride site is due to open in Winnersh in October. Together, the car parks will provide nearly 1,000 spaces.