A TEMPORARY 200-space car park supporting the town centre Bridge Street Quarter regeneration project has been opened in time for the anticipated Christmas rush.

It is situated on land between Bank Street, Academy Way and Academy Street and will cost £1 for up to three hours parking.

The site has been delivered by Warrington & Co on behalf of the council and will remain in place until work commences on the construction of the cinema, as well as the restaurant units.

Deputy council leader Mike Hannon said: "The opening of the temporary car park is great news for the ongoing development of the Bridge Street scheme.

"Not only does it mean that the car park is open for the busy Christmas period and will provide a great boost for the market but it also demonstrates that work on this fantastic scheme is well on schedule."

A planning application is set to be submitted asking for permission to construct a new permanent 1,200 space multi-storey car park that will support the entire Bridge Street scheme.

Construction is expected to start in 2016 and be completed in mid-2017.

The scheme started on site earlier this year with the demolition of the existing Times Square buildings, as well as the remediation of the site.

Contractor CPUK has been appointed to construct the first element of the regeneration project – the retail unit that will temporarily house the market hall and will be on site prior to Christmas.

The market will move into this temporary location in 2017 while the £10 million 31, 150 square foot covered market hall is being built.

During discussions concerning the 'Warrington Means Business' regeneration plans, Warrington & Co and the council have worked with traders and businesses to keep them informed of the redevelopment, which will be completed in 2019.

The scheme will create up to 400 construction jobs and 400 new permanent positions in the leisure, retail and restaurant sectors once it is finished.