THE new £45million college campus coming to south Essex this summer will have just 74 car parking spaces...as college bosses aim to encourage pupils and staff to ditch their cars.

And management have even devised a tailor-made travel plan, which they hope will see 2,000 students, and 150 staff members, at the New Road campus, in Grays, make use of “superior” public transport links and highquality, secure cycle parking facilities.

To crack down on car use, the college claims it will introduce a “robust criteriabased car parking policy”, which will give priority to those travelling between campuses regularly.

Others choosing to travel by car will also be encouraged to park in any one of the town’s eight car parks.

Anthony McGarel, deputy chief executive, said: “The college has produced an extensive, sustainable travel plan aimed at students and staff.

“It includes the use of town centre car parking spaces, cycle schemes and car sharing schemes, to name but a few.

“Staff, along with students, will also be encouraged to use the public transport links to the town centre, with the new campus being only 150 metres from the nearest c2c train station and an extensive bus network in and out of town.

“The college is also in talks regarding potential moneysaving schemes for both students and staff alike with c2c.”

There will also be 166 onsite cycle parking spaces.

Currently, 78 per cent of staff and 69 per cent of pupils live more than three miles from the current college campus at Woodview.

But current Level 2 Hair and Make-up student, Sophie Butten, 16, from Grays, is one of those who will be making the most of the opportunity.

She said: “I’ll be walking to the new campus and it will only take five minutes.

“The current campus is in the middle of nowhere. Being in the High Street will just give you lots of choice and options. I can’t wait.”

Thurrock Council is due to make a final decision on the college’s Travel Plan at the end of this week.