THE new deck of a Darlington car park opened on Saturday - creating more than 160 extra parking spaces for motorists.
The short stay car park on East Street opened its second deck after several months of work, in time for the Christmas shopping rush.
Darlington Borough Council took over the car park from NCP in June, and alongside the work, has also reduced parking charges.
East Street's top deck will add to the town centre's secure car parking. All council car parks are part of the Secured Car Park Scheme, introduced by the Government to promote safe and secure car parking facilities throughout the UK.
The extension was opened on Saturday by Councillor Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport.
Mr Wallis said: "The opening of the second deck of the car park will contribute to the vibrancy of the town centre.
"This is a significant increase in the number of car spaces available in the town for shoppers.
"This car park will bring more people into the town which will boost the local economy at a time when retailers across the country are experiencing slow trade.
"The opening of these new car parking spaces shows Darlington council's commitment to create a busy and prosperous town centre which shoppers want to visit."
The extra spaces have been created at a time when work is still continuing on Crown Street car park, which is expected to open next month with more than 400 spaces.
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