A "PARK and float" idea where coaches drop off people who then sail into Skipton is being investigated as part of the town's car parking strategy.

The idea was put forward at a meeting of Craven District Council's overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday.

Coun Paul Whitaker said he had always wondered why such a scheme had not been arranged as part of the "Skipton experience".

"There is a piece of land outside the town which I believe is still owned by the county council. That could be used to create a coach park and drop off point and passengers could then boat into Skipton along the canal," he said.

Peter Chapman, head of leisure services, said if Skipton could offer a drop off point on the edge of town with a caf and toilets, that would help encourage coaches out of the town centre.

One thing was clear said committee chairman Coun Andy Solloway and that was that car parking could not be taken in isolation.

"I would like to think that we can do a similar job for car parking that we did for the Skipton High Street and that is canvass public views and provide opinions on alternatives for car parking," he said.

Craven District Council is in the middle of a study of its car parking policies to help cope with any increase in traffic and disruption caused if residents' parking goes ahead.

According to figures drawn up by consultants Mouchel Parkman during May 2004, car parks in Skipton are running at 92 per cent capacity during peak hours.

Shane Reffin, the council's car parks manager, said that effectively meant the car parks were full. "It means there will be people driving around trying to find the one or two parking spaces that are available," he said.

Councillors asked officers to provide a breakdown of the types of ticket being sold.

Coun Helen Firth said public transport had a big part to play in helping reduce the number of cars coming into the district.

Councillors also asked officers to carry out a "paper" exercise in redesigning the Town Hall car park to see if more spaces could be created and to examine whether they could introduce new traffic regulations which would designate where long stay permit holders could park.

Members of the public will have their chance to put their views forward at a meeting at the council's Granville Street offices in Skipton on February 15 at 6pm.