CONSTRUCTION students at York College are set to get an insight into the world of work when engineers take them on a tour of the new Askham Bar Park&Ride.

Students studying design, quantity surveying and civil engineering will benefit from a tour of the new Park&Ride as it is being constructed.

The tour, led by City of York Council engineers, will provide hands-on experience into how the multimillion-pound construction site is managed by contractor Balfour Beatty.

This will be first time members of the public have seen the site, which is located opposite the college.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “It’s not every day that students are given this exclusive behind-the scenes access on to a project of this scale. The new Park&Ride sites, and outer ring-road roundabout upgrade, represent one of the largest single investments in the city’s transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built.

“It’s vitally important that through large schemes like this we can use this opportunity to provide future generations of engineers and construction workers valuable insight and hands-on experience into working in this industry. We’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity, and who knows? Perhaps one day they could be planning the next P&R site in York.”

Eddie Tribe, North East Delivery Unit managing director for Balfour Beatty, said the site was unusual in being a former landfill tip, and the team were faced with a number of constraints, including managing the gases moving through the landfill.

He said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer students the opportunity to find out more about how we are delivering this infrastructure project.

“We look forward to working with York College and City of York Council to ensure the students have a really valuable learning experience.”

Andy Pulleyn, construction tutor at York College, said: “The college welcomes the opportunity for students to gain such valuable industrial experience.

“The site is integral to the extended diploma course, it enables students to visualise concepts and theory.

“We know real building projects allow students to put their learning in to context and site visits such as this, as well as work experience, provide outstanding enrichment opportunities for students.”

To find out more details about the new Park&Ride sites visit york.gov.uk/parkandride