A £2.8m parking scheme which aims to cut congestion at a seaside resort will open ahead of the school summer holidays.

The latest phase of Whitby’s park and ride initiative will see an overspill car park launched, giving a maximum parking capacity of 450 spaces beside the 230 parking place car park which opened off the A171, near Cross Butts Farm, at Easter.

Frequent and regular buses will take motorists from the car park into the town centre, which has traditionally suffered parking problems during the peak tourist season.

It is hoped the car parking will make easier for visitors to get into and out of the town, while making the daily life of Whitby residents easier.

County councillor for Whitby, Joe Plant said: “This service has proved to be immensely popular, and has been very well used.

“These new parking places will improve the facility even further.”

The Park and Ride is the main part of a package of improvements provided by North Yorkshire County Council, funded from a successful bid to Government.

The package includes the park and ride site, a town park and ride bus service, a bus service into the Esk Valley, parking management measures in Whitby to encourage people to use the park and ride scheme, and pay and display parking on Whitby West Cliff and at Sandsend, which will help improve traffic flows in the town.

The completion of the new building at the Park and Ride site has been delayed because of the unavailability of specialist glass for the front of the building.

Until it is fully open the council will provide temporary toilet facilities on the site.