(05 Aug 2013, 7:42 pm)gtomlinson wrote The problem with having a P&R from the Metrocentre (the old P&R failing too) is that around key dates the traffic around the Metrocentre is horrific to get to at the best of times and you may as well drive into Newcastle and use the car parks in the City or preferably, a Metro station (Callerton for example)
I completely agree with this point and I'm surprised that Metrocentre allowed it since they are keen to stop their car parks from being used as a Park and Ride facility (hence, the various car park restrictions that have came in over the last few years). When you factor in the potential for increased congestion, which could have knock-on effect of deterring shoppers from shopping at the Metrocentre, the decision is almost nonsensical. The overflow car park may have the space capacity but the surrounding road infrastructure is not sufficient enough to cope with it.