THE Eden centre in Wycombe is still bringing in “very good” numbers of people, despite the economic downturn, a councillor said tonight.

And he added the park and ride in Cressex is attracting more users than ever before.

Councillor Hugh McCarthy told Wycombe District’s Full Council: “Footfall is holding up quite well actually, considering the current climate. It has fallen back since the peak of Eden opening.”

He said the centre was still attracting about 10, 500 people every day – several thousand fewer than it had at its busiest, earlier in the year. But he added these figures were still “very, very good in the current climate.”

Cllr McCarthy, who is cabinet member for economic development and transportation, also said the town’s park and ride scheme was helping solve the town’s congestion problems.

He said: “I’m delighted to say the Park and Ride system is at last showing some useful benefit to the town. Ridership is rising.”

He said currently more than 6,000 people were making use of the service every week.

“I imagine it’s related to the opening of Eden and that’s had a beneficial effect on our car parking. We shall continue to watch this and hopefully it will continue to reduce congestion in our town.”

When asked if more park and ride schemes were on the cards for Wycombe, at other ‘gateways’ into town, he said there were no definite plans.

Cllr McCarthy said: “I can’t give a promise now. What I can say is it’s an ongoing dialogue.”