Car sharing bay scheme launched at Darlington Station

Parking bays have been designated at Darlington station to be used specifically for commuters sharing cars.

Train operator East Coast hopes the initiative will encourage people to car share when travelling to the station.

The bays can only be used by those vehicles with two or more occupants.

It is part of a number of initiatives planned for the station. Improvements include better visitor information displays, signage and cycle parking.

The scheme has been started in partnership with Darlington Council and forms part of the local authority's travel plan that aims to encourage rail passengers to use public transport.

Darlington duty station manager Lee Spence said: "As an environmentally-aware train operator, we want to help people make transport decisions that not only benefit them financially, but are sustainable and low carbon.

"Taking the train instead of a domestic flight or driving has a significant carbon saving and sharing the journey to the station is a good start as it reduces the number of vehicles on the road."