A PARK and ride area, aimed towards car sharing commuters, has been rubber stamped by Anglesey Council planners.

The plans, submitted by the authority, will include enough spaces for 116 cars and set up near junction 7 of the A55’s eastbound carriageway, near the Menai Science Park in Gaerwen.

The approved plans also include cycle storage, six electrical charging facilities and a bus stop, which is hoped will encourage motorists to lift share.

According to the planning documents, it had been envisaged it would be used by Wylfa Newydd construction workers but with the fate of that project currently in the air, officers told this afternoon’s planning committee meeting that it would be available for general commuters.

This was in response to a point raised by Cllr John Griffith, who noted there is already such a facility between Llanfairpwll and Menai Bridge with another having recently been given planning permission at Four Crosses.

But planning officer, Nia Jones, stated that the application was in response to a general need for such facilities on the island and would remain available for those sharing lifts if Wylfa Newydd goes ahead or not.

Not all members were happy, with Cllr Trefor Lloyd Hughes stating his view that there was a bigger need for such a facility in the west of Anglesey, adding his view that it would be nothing more than an auxillary carpark for the M-SParc.

Local member, Eric Wyn Jones, added: “Despite there being a large car park at M-SParc, its often full. We do need something like this.