COMMUTERS are finding it “impossible” to park at Worcestershire’s newest train station, according to one of the county’s MPs.
Dame Harriett Baldwin wants the local authority to take swift action to increase room at Parkway for rail users.
Dame Harriett said: “Worcestershire Parkway has been a runaway success with usage up 170 per cent this year.
“The downside is that it can be impossible to find a parking space at peak times and people are parking on the B road and double-parking for fear of missing their trains.”
Parkway has just 483 spaces, making it significantly smaller than parkway stations in other cities like Oxford (758 spaces) and Warwick (713 spaces).
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In February, Worcester News reported how dozens of users were issued fines for parking on kerbs after all designated spaces were taken.
Dame Harriet, who represents West Worcestershire, added: “Worcestershire County Council made a visionary decision to build this station and it will attract inward investment into our area.
“The county council is under new leadership and they also need to show some urgency and work with the car park managers to expand capacity.
“After all it is a money-maker.”
Parking is at a premium at Worcestershire Parkway (Image: Google Maps)
A council spokesperson responded: “Worcestershire Parkway is exceeding expectations that were set out in the business case.
“It is currently operating at the equivalent of year 15 of its business case even though it is only six years since the station opened.
“We are aware that the car park is operating near capacity on some days, particularly mid-week.
“Worcestershire County Council Cabinet agreed to explore options to provide further capacity at the station and we are currently working to refine those options.”
GWR, who operate the station, have said Parkway’s success “has been way beyond” expectations and they are working with the council to accommodate demand.
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