New parking charges to hit train station users

RAIL passengers in the West Midlands are facing new charges to park at nine of the region’s railway stations.

Parking charges are being introduced at the stations across the London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway networks in Albrighton, Coleshill Parkway, Droitwich Spa, Hagley, Henley-in-Arden, Ledbury, Park Street, Shenstone and Shifnal.

The first will come into effect on Sunday (August 18) at Coleshill Parkway with the remainder to commence in the following weeks on dates yet to be announced.

Posters will be put up at affected stations informing passengers of the new charges. London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway said station car parks were publicly owned assets and the rail operators had a duty to taxpayers and ticketbuyers to ensure a fair return on the railway estate.

Commercial director Andy Camp said: “We are making significant investment in our car parks and it is only fair that those who use them pay towards their upkeep as already happens at the majority of stations.

“Importantly, these charges will reduce the impact of ‘rail heading’, where drivers travel many miles to avoid parking fees at their nearest station, squeezing out local residents. We are investing in more CCTV, better lighting and automatic number plate recognition across our car parks as well as adding 2,760 cycle spaces and station travel plans as part of our commitment to sustainable travel.”

The charge initially proposed was £4.50 per day but Mr Camp said this had been reduced to £3 following feedback from the public while an annual season ticket equates £1.12 per day.