Park and ride schemes were trumpeted amid much enthusiasm more than a decade ago but took a long time to catch on in Swindon.

Critics thought the town's two schemes, at The Copse in Cricklade Road and at Croft Road, Wroughton, would become white elephants, more people are now using them.

The Copse opened in November 1998 and today more than 350 people use the facility each day, but it is only now starting to break even.

Meanwhile, Wroughton Park and Ride, which opened in April 2002, is less well used, with around 200 people using the facility daily, but it is predicted that patronage will be some 75 per cent higher than The Copse with revenue costs recouped much more quickly.

The council has been encouraged enough to press on with plans to build a £1.3 million scheme at Great Western Hospital, which if approved could start as early as next year.

Ultimately the long-term plan of the council is to have a park and ride scheme at all four points of the compass surrounding Swindon.

One setback was that North Wiltshire District Council initially refused permission for a park and ride near junction 16 of the M4 motorway, but an alternative site is currently under investigation as part of the Southern Development Area.

Other schemes at Oxford Road and Highworth Road are unlikely to open until after 2006.