THE park and ride scheme in Chelmsford will become even greener when a wind turbine is set up to power the site.

The new turbine will eventually generate 40 per cent of the site's power, saving tonnes of carbon dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere.

When it generates more power than the site needs, the extra energy will be sold to the national grid.

Norman Hume, county councillor responsible for transport, said: "Since Chelmsford's park-and-ride site was at the design stages we've been working to make the entire operation as environmentally-friendly and cost effective as possible.

"As well as helping reduce carbon emissions in Essex by some 113 tonnes a year, park and ride at Sandon also utilises the first underground heat source pump of its type in the country to provide the hot water and heating in the terminal building.

"Now we're taking things to the next stage, using the very latest in wind turbine power generation to further reduce the carbon footprint of the site."

He added: "Essex County Council wants to set an example over reducing carbon emissions and demonstrate ways in which we can become environmentally friendly using cutting edge technology."