A SCHEME to limit congestion caused by the huge popularity of the Winchester Christmas market is working well, a meeting heard.

The city council has opened its former depot site off Bar End Road temporarily to coaches bringing people to the market and ice rink at Winchester Cathedral.

The depot has space for 28 coaches. No planning permission is needed as the car park will only be used for a month.

Cllr Mike Southgate, portfolio holder for transport, told the overview and scrutiny committee: “We are looking at how we deal with coaches in the city centre. It is important they find somewhere to park away from the city centre. We are looking to identify sites.”

Sunday park and ride buses launched for the festive season have been 80 per cent full, Cllr Southgate told the Chronicle.